BSF begins patrolling in area behind water, also using boats
*Damage to be assessed only after water recedes
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 2: Fencing and posts of the BSF have suffered extensive damage all along the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts because of heavy floods in Chenab, Basantar and their tributaries during past over 10 days but security forces remained on high alert by keeping strict surveillance on the border from behind and carrying out patrolling through boats to ensure that Pakistan doesn’t manage to take advantage of situation to push infiltrators into this side.
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Sources told the Excelsior that it is not possible immediately to assess exact damage caused to fencing and border posts as they are still under water at many places. Though damage to fencing and forward posts has been reported at most of the places along the International Border, it has been extensive at Pargwal island in Akhnoor because of Chenab fury.
“Assessment of exact damage caused to fencing and border posts will be taken up when flood water recedes as it is not possible to undertake visits to some of the areas at present,” they said but added that notwithstanding all these damages there has been no let up in patrolling and strict surveillance on the International Border by the BSF to thwart possibility of intrusion bids from across.
All possible modes are being used to patrol the border including some distance behind the flooded areas, using boats at many places, installation or surveillance cameras etc, they said.
During his security review meeting here yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also discussed the situation with senior officers including Director General BSF Daljit Singh Chawdhary who was also present at the meeting. The BSF chief is reported to have given detailed assessment of the situation to the Home Minister including steps taken to thwart infiltration attempts by the terrorists from Pakistan.
Chawdhary and Additional DG BSF (Western Command) SS Khandare had also visited border areas to assess damage caused to fencing and border posts. DGP Nalin Prabhat had also undertaken a visit to the border areas recently.
“Once the water recedes and assessment of damage caused to fencing is completed, work to install new fencing or carrying out repairs wherever required will be taken up. Where the fencing can be repaired, the task will be taken up immediately and where new fencing is required it will also begin after completion of formalities,” the sources said.
Jammu, Samba and Kathua share International Boundary with Pakistan and all these three districts besides others in the Jammu region were badly hit by flash floods triggered by heavy rains. Chenab river and its tributaries which flow through different parts of Akhnoor and Basantar and its tributaries in Samba all were flowing above danger mark on August 26 and following days. Besides, several Nullahs in Jammu, Samba and Kathua were in spate causing extensive damages to Government infrastructure and civilian property besides the fencing and border posts.
Even before Monsoon fury, there had been reports of infiltration attempts from the International Border in Hiranagar sector and some other areas in Kathua district besides neighbouring Pathankot district of Punjab.
Latest visible infiltration was reported in the end of March this year when a group of terrorists was trapped initially at Hiranagar and then at Ghati in Kathua district. Four police personnel were martyred in the gun battle while two terrorists were killed and rest managed to escape towards upper reaches of Billawar.
“The BSF has, however, taken all possible steps to ensure that Pakistan and the terrorist commanders don’t manage to take advantage of flood-situation to push the infiltrators,” the sources said.
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