Infiltration still a challenge in Jammu: BSF

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU, DEC 2 Even as the militancy continues to be on the wane, the infiltration from across the border still remains a challenge for the Border Security Forces (BSF). To check the menace, the BSF is working fast on the fencing of the international border (IB) in the Jammu region, according to IG BSF, Mr. Vijay Raman. Work on this account has been been rewarding, Mr. Raman added.

``The main challenge has been, of course, the infiltration and we have to check it,'' Mr. Raman told presspersons here on Friday evening. ``The local militancy is on the wane and the locals are now forced and abetted to do what they do not want to do,'' Mr. Raman said. On the crucial issue of border fencing, the IG said ``we are working on it.''

``Civil work is the only impediment in the border fencing since the borders in Jammu are more volatile and this work could not be carried out by Central Public Works Department (CPWD) as they satisfactorily did in Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.''

Mr. Raman said the border fencing has been rewarding and helpful in checking the infiltration in these States. But here the situation is entirely different, Pakistan calls it a working border, he said. The IG said that BSF is trying to overcome the problem of civil works and logistics and very soon a plan will throw up.

He said the focus has now shifted to Jammu after Punjab borders. ``We will soon deploy equipment and gadgets along the borders to check the infiltration,'' he said adding that because of historical reasons Pakistan does not want to accept the border as it is, they are disputing every inch beyond Pathankot. ``The Government has decided that BSF will take up the job of fencing and we are preparing ourselves technically,'' he added.

Maintaining that after the unilateral ceasefire by the Government, the firing along the borders has ``considerably gone down,'' he said that the felling among the people living in border areas is that they are happy.

``We should not think at it with a jaundiced eye. He (a border resident) is conveying a message and we should exploit, understand and appreciate this aspect,'' he said.

Mr Raman said that welfare, security and safety of the people was on their priority as for as the militant activities are concerned in the region.

No militant group can survive without the support of people, he said adding that the economic factors of militancy is of much importance. ``We have not been able to hit this factor and to see who is gaining by the militancy, Mr. Raman said.``I do not believe in quantitative action but the qualitative one,'' he added.

111 militants killed

The BSF has killed 111 militants and 28 intruders in the current year along the borders and in counter-insurgency operations in the Jammu region. It has also lost 32 people and 80 have been injured.

On the occasion of the 35th Raising Day of the force on Friday, Mr. Vijay Raman said, of the 111 militants 74 were killed in counter-insurgency operations, 22 on the Line of Control and 15 on the International Border. The BSF also shot dead 28 intruders and 59 suspects were apprehended since January 2000. Mr. Raman said 253 Bangladeshi and 73 Burmese nationals were also arrested on the borders.

Of the 32 BSF personnel killed during the period, 17 died fighting militants and the rest on the borders. A large number of arms and ammunition were recovered, including 94 AK-47 rifles, 52 pistols, 57 grenade launchers, 74 rockets and 27,839 rounds of ammunition. Rs. 2,49,273 (Indian currency) and some foreign currency were also recovered.

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