Gurdaspur attack: Government may seal Punjab-Pakistan river routes

NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of the Gurdaspur attack, the riverine areas of the Punjab border are up for some major fortification. The Centre has taken serious note of the Dinanagar attackers entering India through the Punjab border and believes its riverine areas need major investment in terms of technology for foolproof security against infiltration.

Until now much of the focus had remained on the Jammu border where not only have security forces been positioned more densely but even the vulnerable riverine areas have seen technological fortification in the form of thermal imaging cameras and laser walls.

Sources said similar arrangements may now have to be made for the Punjab border given that terrorists have trained their eyes on its vulnerability. BSF DG D K Pathak is expected to file a report with the home ministry regarding this.

Among the new technologies being discussed are also aluminum alloy fences that can be erected in water with out the fear of corrosion or damage. "Punjab border has much lesser strength of forces compared to the Jam mu border. This too may have to be increased in the long run," said an official.

The vulnerability of the Punjab border has been on the radar of agencies for a while.

Sources say, just on the Punjab border there are as many as 200 small to big gaps.