The Border Security Force (BSF) is exploring technical solutions to guard the unfenced stretch of the border with Pakistan and Bangladesh to check infiltration and smuggling.
The paramilitary is considering acquisition of motion sensor alarms and deployment of UAVs for reconnaissance and early warning besides induction of new floating border outposts on the riverine patches on the Indo-Bangla border and attack crafts to assist maritime capabilities in the Creek and Sunderbans areas. The force is also in the process of acquiring sand scooters to for movement in the Thar Desert.
BSF Director-General DK Pathak said 35 per cent of the Indo-Bangladesh border and 15 per cent of the Indo-Pak border is unfenced due to various geographical factors including topography and technical solutions are being explored as part of the modernisation plan.
Some of the sophisticated equipment are being tested in a four-km stretch in Jammu and Punjab sectors where fencing with barbed wires is not possible due to difficult topography or inclement weather.
The paramilitary is also undertaking an ambitious upgradation of its surveillance equipment, weaponry and communication systems besides artillery to effectively secure over 7,000-km border on the western and eastern flanks of the country.
"We need to upgrade and modernise everything... right from our weaponry and communication devices to infrastructure. We have a modernisation plan and budget of over `4,500 crore which will run for a five-year period," Pathak told reporters ahead of the forces' 49th Raising Day on December 1.
He said the BSF is looking for "technical solutions where fencing is not possible" which includes testing of foreign- made equipment. "We had floated global tenders (to procure these items)... We have identified some of them (equipment) and we will implement some of them soon," Pathak said.
Apart from the 'motion sensor alarm' which blips and alerts border guards in case there is a movement along the unfenced stretch, a laser-guided system thermal radars are also being tested to detect hidden tunnels in border areas and undulating land.
Such techniques, they said, are being used in countries like Israel and Singapore to guard their respective borders.
The BSF DG also said there "has been no successful infiltration attempt in the last two-three years in the forces' area of responsibility" along the Pak border in Jammu & Kashmir.