BSF activates winter program to stop cross-border infiltration

Ahead of the peak winter months, the Border Security Force (BSF) has activated its winter border management program to ensure “zero” cross-border infiltration of terrorists in the Jammu region.

Addressing the annual press conference, Inspector General of the Border Security Force (BSF), Jammu frontier, Shashank Anand, claimed that the BSF is ready to follow the orders of the Government if it decides to resume Operation Sindoor.

“The force is ready to inflict heavy losses on the enemy if the Government decides to resume the cross-border operation”, the BSF officer of the Jammu frontier said in response to a straight

question. “If we get a chance, we are capable of causing more damage than we did in May 2025. Whatever policy the Government decides, the BSF will play its role in it,” he added.

Highlighting their achievements during the current year, the BSF officer said, “In this sensitive border region of Jammu, the BSF remains alert 365 days of the year and 24 hours, day or night, whatever the circumstances and weather conditions — rain, fog, cold or heat. We have been trained not to leave the posts.

Asked about the challenge on the border in the coming winter months, especially during the foggy conditions, he said the soldiers posted there are equipped with the required weapons and equipment.

“We also have such technology, which can detect the activities that are happening around the border in the fog. So, I think we are ready to face any challenge,” Anand said. 

“Our two brave soldiers achieved martyrdom during Operation Sindoor in May, fighting the enemy, while one of our brave soldiers drowned in Pragwal, manning a forward post in September, despite being a good swimmer. He did not leave the border post and preferred death, which shows that our soldiers consider the country supreme,” Anand, flanked by BSF Deputy Inspector General Vikram Kunwar and Kulwant Rai Sharma, told reporters.

He said the border-guarding force is always alert and privy to the activities across the border. Having its own reliable sources, it gets timely inputs about possible infiltration attempts by terrorists, he said.

“And if I talk about the Jammu and Kashmir region, various agencies work together. There is the BSF, Army, Intelligence Bureau, Special Bureau, National Investigation Agency, and many other sister agencies through which we continuously receive inputs,” the Jammu BSF chief said, assuring people that the force is ready for any challenge.

Anand said the BSF is working hard to achieve the “zero infiltration” target along the border.

Asked about the massive damage caused to the anti-infiltration grid after the flooding in August-September, he admitted that the border infrastructure was impacted.

However, he asserted that BSF had dealt with similar calamities in 2014 and 1988, and it was sufficiently resilient to meet such challenges.

During the flood, all possible infiltration routes were plugged with the deployment of manpower and enhanced surveillance, he told reporters.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, another senior BSF officer told reporters, “After the BSF destroyed many terror launchpads along the border during Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Government shifted all such facilities to the depth areas… Approximately 12 launchpads are operational from the depth areas of Sialkot and Zafarwal, which are not exactly on the border.

“Similarly, 60 launchpads are working in the other depth areas away from the border,” BSF DIG Vikram Kunwar told reporters.

IG BSF Shashank Anand said, “It took them (Pakistan Rangers) a lot of time to recover from the damages inflicted by the BSF. In some locations, they have tried to strengthen their defence. But all of their activities are under our surveillance,” the IG said.

The BSF is making its plans according to the changing circumstances, he said, and “when we get a chance, we will take proper action”.

The force is prepared for winter challenges and any Government-directed cross-border action. Despite recent floods, infiltration routes are secured and surveillance remains active. Soldiers remain alert 24/7, aiming for “zero infiltration” along the border

            — Shashank Anand, BSF Jammu Frontier IG