The Union Home Ministry has approved 650 posts for creation of a full-fledged intelligence wing for the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the paramilitary force engaged in keeping a vigil at the borders with Nepal and Bhutan. This sensitive border region was on the hotspot of ISI agents, Maoists, fake currency rackets, smugglers, narcotics trading and human trafficking.
The expansion of the intelligence wing is expected to curb the anti-national activities in the Nepal and Bhutan borders, where a lot of public movements are happening.
"In addition various other anti-India forces with the help of inimical groups are also trying to foment trouble on Indian side. In the overall context of ramblings across the border and due to the heightened activity of anti-social and anti-national elements and subversive forces, comprehensive border management was the need of the hour as it has become a sensitive and difficult affair," the SSB said in a statement detailing the need for a full-fledged intelligence gathering.
"Besides, SSB has also been declared as the lead Intelligence Agency (lIA) for both the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. Thus, it was felt that a well knit intelligence network of the highest capabilities that can function and deliver would be the prime requirement of comprehensive border management. This was quite essential as the operations of SSB have to be intelligence based so as to prevent criminals and smugglers from taking advantage of the friendly borders with Nepal and Bhutan," said the statement.