NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF) awaits final clearance nod to expand its operations by adding 16 more battalions, which would include around 17,000 personnel. This is planned to come with the establishment of two new forward headquarters for its western and eastern command, overseeing the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
Initial approval has been secured.
The expansion is particularly significant following the political changes in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government last year and the heightened security concerns along the Pakistan frontier after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The force is soon anticipating to secure final authorisation shortly, after clearance it will take a few years to raise these, sources in the security establishment told PTI news agency.
The BSF’s expansion proposal requires remaining clearances, including some final approvals from the Union finance ministry. The paramilitary force currently maintains 193 battalions, with each battalion comprising over 1,000 personnel.
These additional battalions will enhance border security operations along both frontiers, aligning with the force’s strategic plans. The Union home ministry has endorsed the establishment of two new field command bases.
The new sector offices will be situated in Jammu, overseeing India-Pakistan border operations, and in Mizoram for Bangladesh border surveillance. The existing sectors under DIG-rank officers in Jammu include Rajouri, Sunderbani, Jammu and Indreshwar Nagar, while the Mizoram and Cachar frontier sectors operate from Silchar, Aizawl and Manipur.
The BSF plans to conduct recruitment drives and training programmes for the new battalions over five to six years. The 2.70 lakh-strong force had initially requested 20-21 battalions, citing “the fast-changing security dynamics, profile of the terrain and related issues”.
Currently, the BSF guards 6,726 kilometres of borders, including 2,290 kilometres along the India-Pakistan International Border, 339 kilometres of the Line of Control, and 4,097 kilometres bordering Bangladesh.
Total of around 1,047 kilometres remain unfenced due to riverine areas and challenging terrain. The force maintains 1,760 border posts across these frontiers.
