BSF cancels leave, ups surveillance

Amid heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and the India-Pakistan frontier in Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat following Operation Sindoor, the Border Security Force (BSF) has cancelled leaves of its personnel and bolstered reinforcements along the western border.

Senior BSF officials said that a certain percentage of personnel are typically on leave across battalions, but these personnel are now being recalled with immediate effect.

Surveillance has been significantly enhanced using the latest technologies, including drones, 3D cameras, smart fencing systems, bullet cameras and CCTVs, particularly in vulnerable stretches of the western frontier, sources revealed.

The BSF is responsible for guarding 2,289 km of the India-Pakistan international border, spanning Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. In Jammu and Kashmir, the force is tasked with securing 198 km of the border. Along the LoC, BSF coordinates with the Army in the Pir Panjal mountain ranges.

To counter infiltration attempts, BSF deploys drone-penetrating radars in the Jammu and Punjab sectors to detect and neutralise underground tunnels used by terrorists to enter Indian territory. An anti-drone system has also been recently tested to augment border defence.

With tensions continuing to escalate, the force will be focusing specifically on detecting and destroying such tunnels in order to prevent any infiltration along the western front.