Govt to revive battalions of border home guards in wake of Pahalgam terror attack

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Union Home Ministry is fast-tracking a proposal to revive and modernise Border Wing Home Guards Battalions in frontier states, aiming to strengthen India’s civil defence infrastructure.

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The battalions — originally created to serve as auxiliary forces to the Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) during times of external aggression — have, over time, become largely defunct, barring Rajasthan. Officials say the units in several border states are now barely functional.

Highly placed sources informed The Tribune that the long-pending proposal had gained urgency following the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, in which 26 persons were killed, and India’s retaliatory military operation, Operation Sindoor, against Pakistan. It has also been spurred by concerns raised during recent national-level mock drills assessing preparedness for external aggression and natural disasters.

The drills, conducted on May 7 and again on May 31 under Operation Shield, exposed critical gaps in the country’s civil defence readiness, particularly in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir. The revived Home Guards plan is among the key remedial steps being expedited, officials confirmed.

According to official data, there are currently 15 Border Wing Home Guards Battalions — six in Punjab, four in Rajasthan, two in Gujarat and one each in Meghalaya, Tripura and West Bengal. These units are meant to assist the BSF in guarding international borders and coastal areas, preventing infiltration and protecting critical infrastructure during wartime.

The proposed overhaul includes fresh recruitment, modernised training modules and stricter deployment protocols, making the Home Guards a more effective civil defence backup.

Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the states/union territories, comprising citizens from diverse backgrounds who volunteer their time in service of community safety and national preparedness.