Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday praised the BSF for its role during Operation Sindoor, saying the force did not only guard the border firmly but also boosted the morale of the people living in frontier districts.
Addressing BSF personnel at the Sanchu border outpost in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, Shah paid tribute to more than 2,000 BSF personnel who have laid down their lives since the force was raised.
He said BSF jawans have served in extreme conditions ranging from deserts and dense forests to snow-covered regions with extreme climate conditions, displaying courage, discipline and the spirit of supreme sacrifice.
“The sacrifice of these personnel is a debt on 140 crore Indians and the nation is proud of them,” Shah said.
The home minister also inaugurated women’s barracks at the outpost and said women personnel had proved their capabilities by performing beyond expectations in border security duties.
He said infrastructure for women personnel was being expanded and facilities at all border posts would be strengthened by 2030.Referring to the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Shah said the Sanchu outpost holds historical significance as security personnel had successfully defended it despite heavy attacks by Pakistani forces.
He also highlighted steps being taken to improve border infrastructure in Rajasthan, including road construction, new fencing designs and water pipeline connectivity to 180 border posts.
Shah said the Centre had expanded the BSF’s jurisdiction to 50 kilometres from the International Border, keeping in mind the emerging security challenges such as infiltration, smuggling and drone-based narcotics trafficking.
Shah said border security could no longer rely solely on traditional methods and called for close coordination among state police forces and state administrations to strengthen the security grid.He also stressed the need to remain vigilant against demographic changes caused by cross-border infiltration and said agencies should closely monitor activities in villages located near the border.
