BSF to add 16 new battalions, two forward headquarters for Pakistan, Bangladesh borders | India News

NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF) awaits closing clearance nod to increase its operations by including 16 extra battalions, which would come with round 17,000 personnel. This is deliberate to include the institution of two new forward headquarters for its western and jap command, overseeing the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
Initial approval has been secured.
The growth is especially important following the political modifications in Bangladesh after the autumn of Sheikh Hasina authorities final 12 months and the heightened safety considerations alongside the Pakistan frontier after the April 22 Pahalgam terror assault.
The power is quickly anticipating to safe closing authorisation shortly, after clearance it’ll take a couple of years to elevate these, sources within the safety institution informed PTI information company.
The BSF’s growth proposal requires remaining clearances, together with some closing approvals from the Union finance ministry. The paramilitary power at the moment maintains 193 battalions, with every battalion comprising over 1,000 personnel.
These extra battalions will improve border safety operations alongside each frontiers, aligning with the power’s strategic plans. The Union house ministry has endorsed the institution of two new area command bases.
The new sector workplaces will probably be located in Jammu, overseeing India-Pakistan border operations, and in Mizoram for Bangladesh border surveillance. The present sectors underneath DIG-rank officers in Jammu embody Rajouri, Sunderbani, Jammu and Indreshwar Nagar, whereas the Mizoram and Cachar frontier sectors function from Silchar, Aizawl and Manipur.
The BSF plans to conduct recruitment drives and coaching programmes for the new battalions over 5 to six years. The 2.70 lakh-strong power had initially requested 20-21 battalions, citing “the fast-changing security dynamics, profile of the terrain and related issues”.
Currently, the BSF guards 6,726 kilometres of borders, together with 2,290 kilometres alongside the India-Pakistan International Border, 339 kilometres of the Line of Control, and 4,097 kilometres bordering Bangladesh.
Total of round 1,047 kilometres stay unfenced due to riverine areas and difficult terrain. The power maintains 1,760 border posts throughout these frontiers.
The announcement comes after a lethal terror assault in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals.