Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 27: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed situation along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab with particular reference to Madhukar Gupta (former Union Home Secretary) Commission report, to take measures to plug gaps and block infiltration routes to prevent Pathankot and Uri like attacks.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Director General (DG) BSF KK Sharma, DG CRPF K Durga Prasad, the Secretary Border Management and senior MHA officials dealing with Jammu and Kashmir desk attended the meeting, chaired by Rajnath Singh that lasted one and a half hour.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Union Home Minister has, in principle, accepted majority of recommendations made by Madhukar Gupta Commission, which had been set up in the aftermath of January 2 Pathankot attack to conduct extensive study of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab borders, which were mostly used by the Pakistani militants for infiltration into India to target security installations, identify gaps and suggest measures to plug them.
DG BSF KK Sharma gave an extensive briefing to the Home Minister on the steps required to implement Madhukar Gupta Committee report to stop infiltration of militants from Pakistan along the International Border (IB), mainly in Jammu and Punjab. Gupta Commission had conducted extensive survey of the IB in the two neighbouring border States before submitting its findings, which now have been adopted by the MHA.
According to sources, Rajnath directed the MHA officials and heads of para-military forces including BSF and CRPF to take all possible measures to maintain internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and plug infiltration routes on the borders by strengthening Security Grids, both Anti-Infiltration and Anti-Militancy.
The Union Home Minister is understood to have directed the MHA and BSF officials to set up a real time Intelligence Sharing Grid and seal vulnerable points taking into view the recommendations of Madhukar Gupta Commission as well as their own (the BSF’s) inputs on infiltration routes.
Sources said the Intelligence Sharing Grid, which would be set up with the help of local police of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab and State Intelligence Agencies could prove useful in pre-emptive strikes to thwart infiltration attempts by the militants both along LoC and IB.
An official handout mailed to the Excelsior by Additional Director General (M&C) Home, KS Dhatwalia said issues of upgradation of existing Border Out Posts (BOPs) at par with composite BOPs, construction of advance Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRPs) shelters on high altitude, forward defended localities on Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and acquisition of land for newly sanctioned Battalions at old norms were also discussed in the meeting.
The handout said the important issue of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management Solutions (CIBMS) using modern and latest technology was also discussed. The Union Home Minister emphasised the need to use greater technology to assist the brave and vigilant soldiers of BSF. The DG BSF assured the Union Home Minister and officials from MHA that the pilot project for CIBMS will be implemented expeditiously.
According to sources, the Home Minister reportedly asked the BSF chief to study recommendations of Madhukar Gupta report including the gaps pointed out by them on the borders and take measures immediately to prevent their utilization by the Pakistani militants for infiltration into this side.
The Home Minister is believed to have conveyed to the BSF that despite difficulties they have to perform and must ensure that there is “zero infiltration”, the sources said.
Madhukar Gupta Panel had flagged gaps in fencing and vulnerability along the Indo-Pak border and suggested that technology should be used and vigil strengthened on riverine frontiers.
Besides using water sensors in the riverine areas, the Committee also suggested installing electronic sensors and putting up fences on the Indo-Pak border, the sources said.
It also suggested installing underground sensors in infiltration-prone areas and foliage penetrating radars in forests and areas with heavy vegetation.
Of the 3,323 km-long Indo-Pak border, 1,225 km falls in Jammu and Kashmir (including the LoC), 553 km in Punjab, 1,037 km in Rajasthan and 508 km in Gujarat.
At the meeting, the Home Minister approved the long-pending demand of the paramilitary force to issue “Battle Casualty” certificate to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Sources said the Union Home Ministry wanted infiltration to be kept at zero level to prevent Pathankot and Uri like attacks.
Rajnath also reviewed the functioning of BSF and steps required expedite pending issues related to infrastructure development, welfare of troops and various other issues of Border Management.
Besides, DG, BSF informed that the recommendation of the Committee of Chiefs of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for grant of risk and hardship allowance to BSF personnel has been finalized and will be submitted to the MHA shortly.
“To facilitate movement of CAPF personnel, MHA has given clearance for attachment of extra coaches in four major trains for CAPF personnel, which connect North/ South and East/ West India,’’ the official handout said.
It added that the issue of evolving BSF Air Wing as a self-regulatory establishment on the lines of Coast Guard has been flagged for discussion. Comments in this regard have been invited from Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence and Coast Guard separately.
Rajnath directed the relevant agencies and departments to expedite the action for approval of all pending issues.
Meanwhile, Jawans and officers of Central Paramilitary Forces like BSF, CRPF and ITBP will soon be accorded the status of “battle casualty” on the lines of armed forces that will allow their families to avail special concessionary benefits for education and livelihood.
Officials said the Union Home Ministry has “in principle agreed” to grant sanction after the country’s largest border guarding force BSF made a proposal in this regard sometime back, which was taken up during a review meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh today.
They said the battle casualty status will allow the family members of the personnel killed in the line of duty to avail special benefits like obtaining educational benefits/loans for children of the slain soldier, getting jobs in State Government and private sector and while applying for license for running public service utilities like a fuel pump or a gas agency.
“The final modalities are being worked out and an order will be soon issued by the Home Ministry. This will be applicable for the jawans and officers of forces like BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB and NDRF,” sources said.
The facilities that can be provided under the battle casualty status by the Centre and various State Governments are being worked out, they said.
Also, they said, the Ministry will consider enhancing the risk and hardship allowance given to the about eight lakh men and women of these forces tasked to render a variety of internal security tasks within the country and at the International Borders.
Follow our WhatsApp channel