Border Security Force: Duty Unto Death

Submitted by aurora on

The Border Security Force, established on December 1, 1965, is responsible for guarding India's land borders during peacetime and preventing trans-border crimes. It is a Central paramilitary force operating under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The Indian Union has a federal structure and is made up of several states, somewhat like the United States. From independence in 1947 to 1965, India's international boundaries were guarded by the local armed police battalions of every border state - with little or no inter-state co-ordination.

When Pakistan attacked Indian outposts on April 9, 1965, the inadequacies of the existing border management setup in coping with external armed aggression were exposed. The Central Government then sanctioned the formation of the Border Security Force (BSF) - a unified, Central agency with the specific mandate of guarding India's international boundaries. The BSF was seen in action in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in areas where the army was thinly spread. A notable battle in which BSF troops performed well was the Battle of Longewala in Western India.

Mandated since inception to guard India's external boundaries, the BSF ironically found itself burdened with the additional task of tackling insurgency within the country, along with the Indian army. After initially suffering heavy casualties to hit-and-run terrorist attacks by jihadists, the BSF successfully set up an intelligence network in Jammu & Kashmir with the help of local civilians.

BSF has been deployed in Kashmir valley since 1965. Few selected Armed Police Battalions such as Punjab Armed Police, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary and Madhaya Pradesh State Armed Force were embodied to form the nucleus of Border Security Force. The newly embodied units were deployed on the International Borders of Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat state and on Line of Control and International Boundary in Jammu & Kashmir.However, it took up a critical role of fighting the militancy since 1990 shoulder to shoulder with a Gallant force like J&K Police. BSF got baptised by taking part in 1971 War with laurels and then engaged in fighting militancy in J & K. In pursuance of the GoM decision, BSF has been directed to look after basic duties of Border guarding, handing over CI Ops to CRPF, an equally versatile force. Consequently, a few Battalions were de-inducted in 2003 from Srinagar North and a few more Battalions in Sept 2005 from Srinagar and Anantnag Dist and rest in March 2007 from Sirnagar. Baramulla & Bandipur District. After achieving the immediate aim of dousing the flames of militancy, it was quid pro quo for BSF with string of successes. Initially, a few Bns of BSF were inducted in 1990 to tackle militancy which were later increased till a substantial part of BSF was deployed from 1993 onwards. After almost total de-induction from CI Role BSF has very little role in CI Operations in Valley and that too will be abolished in 2008 when CRPF will completely take over CI Role from BSF.

It is to the credit of BSF that flag hoisting was done amidst challenge by militants at Lal Chowk on 26 Jan’1992. This tradition has been continued by BSF on every Independence Day and Republic Day. However, now CRPF has been entrusted with security duties in Srinagar City, but BSF is still facilitating security cover along with JKP and other SFs during many VVIP visits like – President, Prime Minister, Home Minister and other VVIPs visits to Srinagar and other places in the valley.

While the entire south Kashmir was reeling under heavy snow-fall during last winter in 2005, the BSF men were out on the road to extend a helping hand to the local civilians by deploying 06 Coys with 06 medical teams, 30 medical aid posts and 34 mobile medical groups. Besides clearing several road stretches in remote areas, BSF supplied ration, kerosene oil, medicines etc to the remote villages, thus saving many lives. While fighting militancy with an iron hand, BSF has also adopted a compassionate touch in its strategy by carrying out civic action programmes. On the civic action front, BSF Kashmir Frontier has adopted 10 schools and is providing them furniture items, stationery items and uniforms besides medical assistance. >The BSF, in its 41 years of existence, has emerged as an elite force of the country having excelled with distinction in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Its ethos is “Any task, any time, any where” and the BSF has given blood and sweat to execute its motto “Duty Unto Death”.

As mentioned on the BSF website, the BSF is committed to promote a sense of security among the people living in the border areas, prevent border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India, prevent smuggling and any other illegal activity. In the last few years the BSF has, in addition to their duties, been deployed for counter insurgency and internal security duties. However, during wars, the responsibilities of the BSF shoots up, they involve in holding ground in less threatened sectors, protection of vital installations, assistanc in control of refugees. And anti-infiltration duties in specified areas.

The BSF contributes every year a number of personnel for services for UN Mission in Kosovo and Bosnia. During the Kargil conflict in May-July 1999, the BSFremained on the heights of the mountains and defended the integrity of the country with all the might at its command in unison with the Army. BSF personnel have been performing Internal Security Duty in Manipur for the last two years and have been successfully fighting insurgency in those areas.Also, During the earthquake in Gujarat on 26th January 2001, the BSF was the first to reach out to help the distressed people. During the communal disturbances in Gujarat recently, BSF personnel went all out to restore amity and brotherhood among the people. During the communal disturbances in Gujarat recently, BSF personnel went all out to restore amity and brotherhood among the people.

BSF since its induction in valley had recognized the aspect of human approach as sine qua non in its anti-militancy strategy. It had to change its strategy in tune with the social behavior and social structure. Thus, importance for human rights became a part of the curriculum. While BSF was ruthless against the militants, its attitude towards public, innocent, children, women and elders has been quite sympathetic, accommodative and co-operative. The training programme of all Jawans and Officers includes topics relating to Human Rights by eminent personalities and agencies. There is no saying gain that the Human Rights Violation cases against BSF has been the lowest among all the SFs. One of the principles followed by BSF in its operations is avoidance of collateral damage. This is one of the strong points which helped the BSF troops in carrying out their operations in the most surgical manner.