BSF launches special electronic surveillance project

Context: The Border Security Force (BSF) has initiated a special electronic
surveillance project to secure over 600 “vulnerable patches” along the
India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, covering areas where physical
fencing is not feasible. Approximately 800 km of the 4,069-km India-Bangladesh border
remains unfenced due to rivers and other geographical challenges, the BSF along
the Bangladesh front, is also undertaking a “detailed vulnerability mapping to
strengthen surveillance by deploying additional manpower, special surveillance
equipment and vehicles.

Key points

·      
Overview: On 1st December 2024, Prime
Minister extended his greetings to the Border Security Force (BSF) on their 60^th
Raising Day, emphasizing the importance of the force in safeguarding India's
borders.

·      
Border Security Force (BSF): BSF was
established in 1965 following the India-Pakistan war to enhance border
security. The BSF has an air wing, marine wing, an artillery regiment, and
commando units. It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of
Home Affairs.

·      
Jurisdiction of BSF: The BSF secures
India’s borders and is empowered to arrest, search, and seize under various
laws, including the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973, Passports Act
1967, Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920, and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act (NDPS), 1985.

·      
Current reports: About 2.65-lakh
personnel force was raised on December 1, 1965. It is primarily tasked to guard
more than 6,300 km of Indian fronts with Pakistan and Bangladesh, apart from
rendering a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country.