With a view to scale up operations against the Naxals, the BSF has expanded the area domination exercise by putting in place a robust mechanism that includes formation of small and quick action teams to counter the ultras.
The paramilitary has also introduced new methodology for collecting intelligence. This includes introduction of four new registers to maintain and update data relating to the villages, crime pattern and modus operandi of the Naxals. “This will enhance the operational memory of the BSF battalions deployed in such areas and facilitate incoming units in quick familiarisation of the situation on the ground,” a senior official said.
The measures have resulted in apprehension and surrender of 1,500 ultras and significant recovery of explosives, the official said, adding the operations are planned meticulously so as to counter the Naxals on the one hand and win the goodwill of the masses in order to get real time information on the wanted ultras, the official said.
The environment created by the anti-Naxal operations and implementation of the surrender policy has resulted in large-scale surrender of the extremists. The apprehension and surrender has also helped the paramilitary in countering the Naxal propaganda and weakening their ranks as local support among masses is diminishing, the official claimed.
Official data suggests the BSF has apprehended 485 ultras in Odisha and 892 in Chhattisgarh so far this year. likewise, 161 Naxals have surrendered in Odisha and 81 in Chhattisgarh.
Apart from the area domination exercise, the BSF’s extensive road security operations on major and minor stretches of roads in the Naxal strongholds has resulted in significant recovery of IEDs and explosives.
In its operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the force has recovered about 500 IEDs, 2,200 kg of explosive, nearly 3,000 gelatin sticks, 3,479 detonator and 387 safety fuse.
As many as 16 battalions (16,000 personnel) of the BSF are deployed in Naxals areas including eight battalions in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh and a similar number of battalions in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Nabrangour districts of Odisha.
“The effectiveness of the force can be seen in the restoration of peace in hitherto most disturbed districts like Malkangiri and Koraput of Odisha and Kanker district of Chhattisgarh where the BSF is solely holding the fort against the ultras within four years of its deployment,” the official added.