Border Security Force for upgradations to secure Indo-Pak border effectively

NEW DELHI: BSF is looking for good road network in one of the most inhospitable terrains for security forces in the marshy Rann of Kutch area to secure India's borders with Pakistan more effectively.

The Kutch area on India's western flank in Gujarat is one of the most inhospitable terrains for security forces in the country as the marshy land and salty water in the area makes human survival difficult.

"We want to have a good road connectivity. We are also looking at some technology solutions so that we can secure the border area more effectively," outgoing BSF Director General Subhash Joshi told reporters here.

Joshi retired today after over 37 years in the Indian Police Service (IPS). He headed the BSF for over a year after heading the elite counter-terror force NSG.

He said the force was "concerned" about security measures and upgradations being made in this area which shares its waters with Pakistan including the notorious 'harami nala' area where fishermen of both the countries often cross over into each others' territory.

The DG also said that the force has prepared a proposal to upgrade its war stores, artillery and firing systems which it essentially deploys along the Pakistan border under the command of the Army.

"We want to upgrade our firing systems on the lines of the Army that is based on computer technology," he said.

The force, which has an exclusive air wing amongst all paramilitary forces, is also scheduled to get by year-end new choppers which will be deployed for anti-Naxal operations and for serving high-altitude border posts along Bangladesh in Mizoram.

Eight modern military choppers, Mi-17 V-5, have been sanctioned to the over 2.4-lakh strong force and these will be imported from Russia.