The Border Security Force may soon have an air wing of its own which will allow it to keep an eye on every movement along the border, be it on land or air.
Keen to not allow a repeat of the Uri terror attack, the government is planning to introduce a raft of steps to improve border security and surveillance.
If sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs are to be believed, the Border Security Force (BSF) may soon have an air wing of its own. This will allow the BSF to keep an eye on every movement along the border, be it land or air.
According to sources, presently a part of the BSF's air wing is controlled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), while helicopters such as MI-17 V-5 are controlled by the Air Force.
The government is holding several discussions with the Ministry of Finance to work out the funding for a modernization of the border security system.
The move comes after the Madhukar Committee report was submitted to the government on August 29. The report had made several recommendations on improving border protection vis-a-vis Pakistan, including an air wing for the BSF.
Don't pass the buck, Rajnath tells BSF
Meanwhile, amid increasing criticism from all corners on the government's inability to prevent a terror attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh pulled up the BSF for not doing enough.
“Don't pass the buck, come up with a comprehensive mechanism to stop infiltration,” Singh is said to have told the BSF chief.
Singh made the statement at a review meeting with the BSF today, a week after four armed terrorists reportedly infiltrated the border and carried out one of the biggest attacks on the security forces in Uri on September 18.
Stressing on the need for the security forces to work together, Singh asked the BSF to improve its “coordination with the state police”.
The home minister also discussed and sought suggestions on ways to modernize the security system on the borders, with a special mention on the need to increase electronic surveillance.
Singh said that is high time the “porous border” issue is tackled by the security forces, and the menace of drug and cattle smuggling is dealt with a firm hand.
Singh said that it is the state's responsibility to take care of the jawan and his family so that he can do his job without worrying about anything else. “Resources should not be a constraint” for any soldier. “To ensure that the soldier's morale is always high, extra care should be taken to look after his family,” the minister said.
The meeting also saw Singh discussing the Madhukar Committee report with the BSF.
How government plans to secure border:
Hi-tech fencing
Electronic surveillance along the border
Underground sensors at vulnerable locations
Laser wall and underground water sensors in areas with rivers, streams
Electro-optic sensors near the border
Foliage penetrating radar to keep a vigil in forest areas
