Smart fence to be inaugurated
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 15: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will hold high-level review of situation along the International Border (IB), visit Command Control Centres and Border Out Posts (BOPs) and inaugurate pilot projects of smart fencing during his one day visit to Jammu on September 17.
Accompanied by Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr Jitendra Singh, Director General BSF KK Sharma and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (Incharge para-military forces), Rajnath will also join `Swachhata Hi Seva’ and ‘Shramdaan’ campaign in Jammu at village Makwal in Marh Assembly segment, represented by BJP leader Choudhary Sukhnandan.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Rajnath will reach Paloura Headquarters of the BSF at 11 am and will hold high-level review of situation prevailing along the International Border (IB) in Jammu region with top brass of BSF. The BSF officers including IG BSF, Jammu Frontiers, Ram Awatar would give a detailed briefing to the Home Minister on steps taken by the BSF to prevent infiltration of militants.
Jammu shares 198 kilometers International Border with Pakistan spread over three districts of Kathua, Samba and Jammu, which has been peaceful for the past few months. However, there were reports that three Pakistani militants, who were gunned down by security forces in an encounter at Kakryal in Katra area of Reasi district on Thursday, had infiltrated from the International Border between Hiranagar and Samba sector. The matter is now being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
“Infiltration attempts by the militants and presence of the ultras at launch pads on Pakistan side, waiting for the intrusion bids, will be reviewed by the Union Home Minister,” sources said, adding that Rajnath will also address `Sainik Sammelan’ at Paloura Headquarters of the BSF to boost morale of the security personnel, who have been guarding the border under extreme tough circumstances.
The Home Minister will then inaugurate pilot projects of smart fencing installed at two places along the International Border.
Sources said the smart fencing has many features which will virtually make it impossible for the militants to breach it and infiltrate into the Indian territory.
“If trials of smart fence are successful, it will be gradually erected all along the border not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in other parts of the State also,” sources said, adding the Central Government wants infiltration by the militants to be completely plugged.
The Union Home Minister will also visit Command Control Centres and Border Out Posts (BOPs) of the BSF in RS Pura sector along the International Border and inter-act with the Commanders and jawans deployed in the border belts. He will have detailed review of the problems faced by the jawans on the borders, if any, sources said. He was also likely to meet some of the border dwellers in RS Pura.
It may be mentioned here that during his previous two-day visit to the State on June 7 and 8, Rajnath had visited border areas of RS Pura and increase ex-gratia for next of kin of those killed in Pakistan shelling and firing from Rs one lakh to Rs five lakh and for cattle to Rs 35,000. However, since then there has been no major incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistani Rangers along the International Border. He had also ordered deployment of five bullet-proof ambulances in the border areas for quick eviction of shelling and firing victims.
Sources said Rajnath Singh will also visit Government School Makwal in Marh Assembly constituency, where he will join `Swachhata Hi Seva’ and ‘Shramdan’ campaign.
This is the first visit of Rajnath Singh to Jammu after imposition of Governor’s rule in the State on June 20. However, he has confined his visit to Jammu only and will return to New Delhi in the evening of September 17.
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