Zero LoC Infiltration
Why in News?
Recently, the Union Home Minister conducted an extensive review of the ongoing anti-terror operations and the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Key Points
- Meeting on Counter-Terrorism:
- The Union Home Minister chaired a meeting with top Army and Police officials to strengthen counter-terrorism operations in the Valley.
- The meeting also aimed to secure the Line of Control (LoC), especially during the monsoon, when rivulets from the Himalayas swell, creating gaps in the fencing along the Pakistan border.
- Security Challenges Along the LoC and Border:
- The LoC spans 749 km, primarily under the Army’s jurisdiction, while India and Pakistan share a 198 km long international border in the Jammu sector, where Border Security Force (BSF) is in charge.
- In 2024, Jammu experienced a surge in terrorist attacks due to infiltrators from Pakistan.
- The LoC spans 749 km, primarily under the Army’s jurisdiction, while India and Pakistan share a 198 km long international border in the Jammu sector, where Border Security Force (BSF) is in charge.
- Zero Infiltration Goal and Terrorism Elimination:
- The Minister directed security agencies to intensify efforts with a 'zero infiltration' goal, instructing forces to adopt a strict approach towards infiltration and terrorism.
- The primary objective emphasized was to eliminate the presence of terrorists in the region.
- The Minister acknowledged the role of narco-networks in supporting infiltrators and terrorists, urging immediate action against terror funding linked to the narcotics trade.
Border Security Force (BSF)
- The BSF was raised in 1965, after the India-Pakistan war.
- It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of the Union of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Other Central Armed Police Forces are: Assam Rifles (AR), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), National Security Guards (NSG) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
- The 2.65-lakh force is deployed along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
- It is deployed on the Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International Border, and Line of Control (LoC) along with the Indian Army and in Anti-Naxal Operations.
- BSF has been defending Sir Creek in the Arabian Sea and the Sundarbans delta in the Bay of Bengal with its state of the art fleet of Water Crafts.
- It contributes dedicated services to the UN peacekeeping Mission by sending a large contingent of its trained manpower every year.