BSF uses smart laser fences to ward off infiltration from Pak

The Border Security Force is using laser sensors along the International Border (IB) in Jammu region, to apprehend militants who may try to sneak into India from Pakistan in the winter, a period when infiltration routes along the Line of Control in the Kashmir Valley get blocked by snow. According to BSF officials, the installation of unmanned smart motion sensors along the border is a part of the heightened vigil in the last two years. “These sensors alert the BSF in case of any suspicious movements near the border. As soon as someone crosses the border, the sensors send signals to the nearest control station,” a BSF official said.

“This system works as an advance alert system where our men get enough time to reach the area where infiltrators are attempting to cut a part of the fence and enter it,” added the officer.

These fences are being used particularly in the difficult riverine sections of the IB, which are otherwise difficult to guard by foot patrolling. These areas have seen several breaches by militants from across the border. “The laser fences have been installed near river Basantar, Bein Nallah, Karol Krishna and Paloa Nallah in the Jammu region,” said the official.

Such techniques are being used in countries like Israel and Singapore to guard their respective borders. The “smart fence” mechanism is part of an over Rs 4,500-crore modernisation plan being implemented by BSF.

Recently, the top brass of the BSF held a detailed meeting with regard to the surveillance all along the International Border with Pakistan. Senior BSF officers told the higher ups that laser fencing and the installation of latest surveillance gadgets have proved very useful in checking infiltration.

The officers said in the meeting that they have put up the latest light system, early warning system and laser fences in all the areas that were earlier the routes of infiltration all along the International Border. 

“15 Commandants of BSF, who are responsible for the IB in the Jammu region, gave their briefing to the top brass. They were told to increase the foot patrols in order to stop the militants from crossing over,” a senior BSF officer told the media in Jammu. He said that the second line of defence has also been put in place in order to stop militants from entering Jammu city after crossing over to this side.

BSF officers on the ground have said that there has been no infiltration bid in the last few weeks in the Jammu region nor have they seen any suspicious movements on the Pakistani side. “Our security grid is strong and the latest surveillance gadgets have stopped militants from sneaking into this side in the Jammu region,” the BSF officer further said.

Recently, Pakistan Rangers and BSF held a series of meetings in order to stop the cross border firing which remained rampant throughout 2015.

The BSF guards India’s 3,323-km border with Pakistan, excluding the Line of Control and also guards the 4,096-km-long India-Bangladesh border. At present, about 15% of the India-Pak border and about 35% of the India-Bangla border are unfenced.