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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
BSF taps DRDO for tech to monitor Bangla border stretch in Sundarbans
Amid the Centre's crackdown on illegal immigration and cross-border terror networks, the Border Security Force (BSF) has sought the help of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for deployment of advanced surveillance systems — including drones, radars and satellites — along a critical 113-km stretch of the Sundarbans on the India-Bangladesh border. The request was made during a high-level coastal security review meeting chaired by the Secretary (Border Management) at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in North Block in the second week of May, shortly after Operation Sindoor. The focused move to identify and push back illegal Bangladeshi immigrants within 30 days of detention began after the Pahalgam attacks in April, and has gained momentum since Operation Sindoor. As part of this crackdown, the BSF has stepped up vigilance along the border and is now looking to rely more heavily on high-end surveillance technologies — including drones, radars, satellite imagery and CCTVs — to plug gaps in sensitive areas, especially the Sundarbans, which has long been a known route for illegal crossings. 'The BSF has proposed to bring nearly 113 kms under tech surveillance,' said an MHA official. 'They've already conducted a feasibility study, in consultation with ISRO and DRDO, and have asked DRDO to carry out field visits to identify the most effective solutions. However, DRDO is expected to take up the Sundarbans site only after it completes its current work on a similar project in Gujarat's creek areas.' The BSF currently monitors about 123 kms of the Sunderbans sector, much of it difficult terrain dotted with creeks and dense mangrove forests. The demand for a technology-first approach has grown following intelligence inputs that terror outfits are exploring India's riverine and maritime borders — especially through the Sundarbans — to infiltrate. The area, spread across remote islands and crisscrossed by tidal waterways, poses unique challenges for conventional patrolling. At present, the BSF relies on eight floating Border Outposts (BOPs) and 96 other patrol vessels to maintain vigilance. It has also approached the West Bengal government for land to construct seven observation towers and to allow more forest post co-locations — a model where BSF personnel share infrastructure with forest officials. Three such co-located posts already exist. However, the MHA official said progress has been uneven. 'Despite repeated surveys, officials from the Forest and State Revenue departments did not participate, which has stalled the process,' the official said. At the meeting last month, which was also attended by BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary, West Bengal government representatives are learnt to have said that they had surveyed seven sites and agreed to provide land at two. 'The co-location of three more BSF posts is still awaiting clearance from the Forest Department. Both sides were directed to explore alternate sites if needed and to jointly assess feasibility at each location,' the official said. The Sundarbans push comes amid growing concerns within the security establishment that a porous eastern frontier — unless sealed with urgency — could undermine efforts to curb both illegal immigration and terror infiltration. As part of its wider border strategy, the Centre has already deployed additional forces, stepped up deportation efforts, and expanded intelligence coordination across agencies. Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More
Gulf News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf News
India top security brass in emergency talks after Pahalgam attack
New Delhi: In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals - most of them tourists - Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the internal security situation and assess the evolving threat perception. The meeting was attended by key security leaders, including Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) Daljit Singh Chaudhary, Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) Brighu Srinivasan, and Director General of the Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera. Key officials from other paramilitary forces, which included Additional Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Anupama Nilekar Chandra, also attended the deliberations. Sources told IANS that the discussion focused on tightening border security, enhancing counter-terror capabilities, and coordinating intelligence sharing across forces in view of heightened tensions following the April 22 attack that happened in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The BSF is tasked with securing India's borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, the SSB guards the frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan, while the Assam Rifles monitors the India-Myanmar border. The NSG, India's premier counter-terrorism unit, specialises in high-risk operations and urban hostage rescue missions. The Pahalgam attack has triggered a series of swift and significant policy decisions from the central government. In a strong diplomatic rebuke, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, accusing Pakistan of violating its provisions. The CCS also issued a directive mandating that all Pakistani nationals - excluding those with diplomatic, official, or long-term visas - must exit the country by April 29. Following the CCS decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally contacted chief ministers across the country, instructing them to ensure compliance with the exit order for Pakistani nationals. Subsequently, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a virtual meeting with state chief secretaries to monitor implementation and ensure that individuals with revoked visas depart India before the deadline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a strongly worded statement on April 24, vowed to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack -- and those supporting them -- to justice. 'We will identify, pursue, and punish every terrorist and their enablers. India will go to any length to protect its people,' he said. In a rare show of political unity, leaders from all major political parties pledged their full support to the government during an all-party meeting convened the same day. The collective resolve reflected a national consensus for decisive action against terrorism and cross-border extremism.
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
India on high alert after Pahalgam massacre: Top security brass huddle in emergency meet
New Delhi: In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals -- most of them tourists -- Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the internal security situation and assess the evolving threat perception. The meeting was attended by key security leaders, including Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) Daljit Singh Chaudhary, Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) Brighu Srinivasan, and Director General of the Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera. Key officials from other paramilitary forces, which included Additional Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Anupama Nilekar Chandra, also attended the deliberations. Sources told IANS that the discussion focused on tightening border security, enhancing counter-terror capabilities, and coordinating intelligence sharing across forces in view of heightened tensions following the April 22 attack that happened in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The BSF is tasked with securing India's borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, the SSB guards the frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan, while the Assam Rifles monitors the India-Myanmar border. The NSG, India's premier counter-terrorism unit, specialises in high-risk operations and urban hostage rescue missions. The Pahalgam attack has triggered a series of swift and significant policy decisions from the central government. In a strong diplomatic rebuke, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, accusing Pakistan of violating its provisions. The CCS also issued a directive mandating that all Pakistani nationals -- excluding those with diplomatic, official, or long-term visas -- must exit the country by April 29. Following the CCS decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally contacted chief ministers across the country, instructing them to ensure compliance with the exit order for Pakistani nationals. Subsequently, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a virtual meeting with state chief secretaries to monitor implementation and ensure that individuals with revoked visas depart India before the deadline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a strongly worded statement on April 24, vowed to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack -- and those supporting them -- to justice. 'We will identify, pursue, and punish every terrorist and their enablers. India will go to any length to protect its people,' he said. In a rare show of political unity, leaders from all major political parties pledged their full support to the government during an all-party meeting convened the same day. The collective resolve reflected a national consensus for decisive action against terrorism and cross-border extremism. As security agencies intensify their efforts and diplomatic measures escalate, the nation remains on high alert, with vigilance and preparedness at the forefront of India's response to the latest threat.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pahalgam attack: Union home secretary chairs high-level security meeting
NEW DELHI: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting which was attended by chiefs of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations, sources said. The meeting was held amid the charged atmosphere following the Director General (DG) of Border Security Force Daljit Singh Chaudhary, DG of National Security Guard Brighu Srinivasan and DG of the Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera attended the meeting, the sources said. Additional Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal Anupama Nilekar Chandra were among the other attendees in the meeting. It was not immediately known what transpired in the meeting. The BSF guards India's international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, the SSB secures the borders with Nepal and Bangladesh, the Assam Rifles protects the border with Myanmar and the NSG is a commando force specialising in anti-terror operations. After the April 22 Pahalgam attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security decided to keep the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance with immediate effect, saying Pakistan has breached its conditions. The CCS also decided that all Pakistanis, except those having long term visa and diplomatic and official visa, must leave India by April 29. After the CCS decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 25 called up the chief ministers of all the states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country. Later, the Union home secretary also held a video conference with the chief secretaries of all the states and asked them to ensure that all Pakistani nationals whose visas were revoked must leave India by the fixed deadline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 24 asserted that India will "identify, track, and punish" every terrorist and their "backers" involved in the Pahalgam carnage and pursue the killers to the "ends of the earth", as India stepped up the diplomatic offensive against Pakistan. At an all-party meeting held here on April 24, leaders across party lines called for a decisive action against terrorism and terror camps, assuring the government of their full support.
