Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday paid tribute to the Border Security Force personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on the 59th Raising Day of the BSF in Meru, Hazaribagh. The Union Minister was here to participate in the 59th Foundation Day of BSF.
Shah on the occasion also witnessed the parade and released the BSF’s the annual magazine-‘Borderman’. Many dignitaries including the Director General of Border Security Force were present on this occasion.
He said that the Modi government has decided that in the next two years the entire Pakistan and Bangladesh border will be secured by fencing. Shah said floodlights have been installed in 1100 kilometers of the border, 542 new border outposts and 510 observation post towers have been built and for the first time, observation towers have been built in Harami Nala area. Electricity at 637 outposts and water connections to about 500 places have also been provided. Apart from this, the convenience of the soldiers guarding the border has been ensured by installing solar plants at 472 places
The Union Home Minister on the occasion said that “Jeevan Paryant Kartavya” is not just a slogan of BSF but till date more than 1,900 Seema Praharis have fulfilled this sentence by making the supreme sacrifices of their lives. He said that lakhs of Seema Praharis have spent the golden period of their lives living away from their families in difficult circumstances. He said that as the first line of defence of the country's borders, the way BSF has secured the inaccessible borders of the country, the entire country is proud of these brave soldiers of the Border Security Force.
India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh are guarded by BSF troops, who are stationed in the most difficult terrain and isolated areas. Up until 1965, the State Armed Police Battalion guarded India’s border with Pakistan. Pakistan launched an attack on Sardar Post, Chhar Bet, and Beria Bet in Kutch on April 9, 1965.
As a result of the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries, the Border Security Force came into existence on December 1, 1965.
Initially, in 1965, BSF was raised with 25 battalions and, with the passage of time, was expanded as per the requirement of the nation to fight against militancy in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Northeast region.
Shah also said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken an important decision of deployment of one security force on one border. He said that under this decision, the responsibility of protecting the most inaccessible borders of Pakistan and Bangladesh was given to the Border Security Force and BSF has fulfilled this responsibility very well. He said that be it the snowy areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the mountains of the North-East, the deserts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the marshy areas of Gujarat or the dense forests of Sundarbans and Jharkhand, BSF has always remained alert and foiled the nefarious motives of the enemy. The Border Security Force has set new standards of service and bravery at the international level even in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Shri Shah said that a country whose borders are not secure can never develop and prosper.
Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made progress in every field and this is possible only when our borders are protected by the sacrifice, dedication and bravery of our brave soldiers. He said that the brave soldiers protecting the country's borders are the foundation of the country's development. Shri Shah said that the BSF soldiers not only protect the borders but also give the message of discipline to the youth of the country. He said that today a total of 23 soldiers have been given bravery medals and 5 soldiers have been given medals posthumously. Out of these 23 soldiers, 11 have been given Police Medal For Gallantry, 1 soldier has been given Jeevan Raksha Padak and 11 soldiers have been given President's Police Medal for distinguished service. Shah told the families of the five martyrs who received medals posthumously that no one can compensate for their loss but the 130 crore people of the country will always be proud of the sacrifice of these martyrs. He said that BSF has received many medals and awards including 1 Mahavir Chakra, 4 Kirti Chakra, 13 Vir Chakra and 13 Shaurya Chakra.