‘Don’t want bloodshed, but will retaliate if Pak violates truce’
: Director general (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) KK Sharma said here on Saturday that in case of ceasefire violation from the other side of the border, India will retaliate with full force.
Addressing a press conference at the BSF training camp at Kharkan, 20 km from here, he said India was a peaceful country and did not want bloodshed but, if challenged, its security forces give a befitting reply to the enemy.
The DG had come to the Kharkan camp to attend the passingout ceremony of 315 women constables of the BSF.
Terming the government’s announcement of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the month of Ramzan as a welcome step, the DG said there was always a room for specific operations, if it was necessary for selfdefence or protection of civilians. Dismissing speculations that terrorists might use the ceasefire period to regroup, he said the security forces had suspended proactive operations only. He said the misguided youth should accept the government’s offer and return to the mainstream.
Expressing grief over the recent martyrdom of two BSF personnel in firing along the international border, the DG said it will only strengthen the resolve to wipe out terrorism from the country.
Responding to queries on cross-border smuggling of drugs, he said that with the co-operation of the police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the BSF was undertaking successful joint operations to check the flow of drugs. “Heavy seizures are being regularly made, yet drugs find their way to the country. We are trying to tackle cross- border linkages and have intensified surveillance”, he claimed. He said there might be a few moles in the force aiding drug smugglers but, by and large, the BSF had maintained utmost integrity.
The DG said the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), the hightech virtual fencing system to guard the borders, is expected to go operational by the second week of June at two places in Jammu. “We need technology as a force multiplier for improved border management. The CIBMS will help counter infiltration. The technology will be deployed along Pakistan and Bangladesh borders,” he added.
Misguided youth should accept the government offer and return to the mainstream. KK SHARMA,BSF DG