On visit to forward post in Kathua, Amit Shah says will deploy electronic surveillance system along Pakistan border

Addressing BSF personnel, he said that “we want to install an electronic surveillance system, having two models, along the borders’’. “…if anything happens (from the enemy side), you will be able to respond immediately,” he said. “And at the same time, to identify and dismantle underground tunnels, technical means would be put in place,” he added.

He said that work in this direction will be completed on the India-Pakistan border in three to four years. “Thereafter, this will be installed on the border with Bangladesh,’’ he added.

Shah also said many technological innovations have been put to use for detecting and destroying the cross-border tunnels. The use of such technology innovations have been seen here as well, he added.

Commending the dedication and devotion of BSF personnel in safeguarding the country’s frontiers throughout the year, Shah said, “In unbearable cold, incessant rain and even temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius, you remain on guard 365 days and 24 hours on forward posts keeping an eye on the enemy activities.’’

Underlining that it has always been a top priority of the Central government to support the BSF, he said that whatever plans are provided, the PM Narendra Modi-led government will always be ready to implement them. “Currently, 26 experiments are underway and within the next year, we will definitely arrive at a decision that will provide many benefits to you,’’ he told the personnel.

At the border outpost, Shah held a high-level meeting to assess the ground situation, in which L-G Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh were present. The meeting was also attended by BSF DG Daljit Singh Chaudhary, J-K DGP Nalin Prabhat, Jammu Frontier’s IG BSF, Shashan Anand, and IG Police for Jammu zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, among others.

Later during the day, Shah handed over appointment letters to the family members of the policemen who were martyred fighting militants in Kathua district.

He also held a meeting of BJP senior leaders and legislators at the residence of senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in J-K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, and sought feedback about the political and development scenario of the UT and people’s aspirations.

The Union Home Minister is likely to hold two separate meetings in Srinagar Tuesday to review the security situation and pace of development works in J-K.

This is Shah’s first visit to the UT after the formation of Omar Abdullah government and comes ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s scheduled flagging off the first train between Katra and Srinagar. The Amarnath Yatra is also scheduled to start from July 3.

The International Border in Kathua district has become active following spurt in transborder movement of militants over the past few months.

Security forces and police have been engaged in multiple search operations in the adjoining forests of Kathua and Udhampur district to track down militants who crossed the IB from the Pakistan side last month.

The forces had first contact with them in the forests near Saniyal village of Hiranagar on March 23 evening, but the militants fled leaving behind some ammunition and explosives among other things.

Four days later, security forces re-established contact with the militants in the forests near Jakhole in Rajbagh area of Kathua district, nearly 30 km from Saniyal. On March 27, in a day-long encounter, security forces killed two militants, however three other militants managed to escape taking cover of thick foliage and darkness at night.

During the encounter, four policemen were also killed when militants taking advantage of their position on a hilltop opened fire on them.

Later, they were sighted in the forests of Panjtirthi in Ramkote area of the district and Majalta area of adjoining Udhampur district. Despite intensified search operations over an extended area by the forces, there has been no contact with the militants.