Jammu, June 18: There is increasing pressure on the Border Security Force (BSF) troops manning Indian borders, particularly in the eastern sector, with a shortage of 22000 personnel, BSF Additional Director General (ADG), A K Mitra, said today. There was, however, no shortfall of troops on International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, Mitra, who made extensive tour of the International Border and counter-insurgent areas in Jammu and Kashmir, told.
Of the total BSF strength of 153 battalions, 57 battalions are deployed for counter insurgency and border guarding purpose in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, adding the rest are deployed on the eastern borders.
There is a " shortage of 22 battalions (22000 troops) on the Indian border, particularly on eastern borders, manned by BSF,” resulting in thin deployment, he said,
“Due to this shortfall, pressure of manning borders is more on BSF troops, who work under more stress,” Mitra said, adding the situation would change soon as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) would free BSF counter-insurgency areas in J&K and North-East.
The government was to replace BSF by CRPF first in north- eastern states, he said and added it has now been stopped till December this year.
Since BSF personnel have a lot of experience in dealing with militancy, the CRPF men have been deployed along with BSF troops before their complete deinduction, he said.
Bureau Report