Task cut out for next BSF chief: Plug gaps to stop infiltration, strategic planning for counter terror ops

The premature repatriation of Border Security Force Director General Nitin Agrawal is perhaps the first instance of  a sudden removal of the chief of the border guarding force manning the critical international border with Pakistan. 

While no official reason was given for the sudden repatriation of the DG and his second in command, there are concerns over several Pakistani terrorists, including commando styled trained operatives, infiltrating into Jammu region raising suspicion of rise in terror incidents in coming days. 

In the past, DGs of the CRPF have been changed for operational failures. In 2010, then DG Vikram Srivastava was removed after the Dantewada massacre in which 75 CRPF men lost their lives in a Maoist attack.

This time, security gaps at the international border with Pakistan put the BSF under sharp scrutiny as picking up actionable intelligence to thwart infiltration attempts is the responsibility of the border guarding force .

Unlike the Line of Control with Pakistan protected by the Indian Army, the international border manned by the BSF has a complex terrain which requires sharp focus to detect attempts of infiltration.

“Sporadic infiltration is almost impossible to prevent but for it to happen on this scale is a major concern,” said a senior security official.

At a recent meeting of the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) that operates under the Intelligence Bureau, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke of the need for greater synergy between various agencies. For the home ministry, border fencing as well as border guarding is paramount as it follows a zero tolerance approach to terror. 

But the recent terror incidents in Jammu have called for a revamp of the security grid and improving coordination between central and state agencies for counter terror operations . 

Security sources admit there are challenges when infiltration figures being reported on the International Border and actual successful attempts which went undetected do not match. “Only a handful of terrorists sneaking in can create the kind of situation we are witnessing in Jammu. If the numbers are more, there can be an increase in terror incidents,” said an official. 

The task is already cut out for the next chief whose focus has to be on strategic planning and effective action on ground. 

“This would require complete attention of the DG," said a senior official, “and more delegation and decentralisation of administrative and financial powers within the force.”

At the same time, the focus should be on teamwork and approachability of senior officers to boost the morale of the force, the official said  . 

In 2014, during heavy firing and shelling on the border, then BSF DG DK Pathak visited the forward areas to interact with troops and assess the damage to assets on the border.

The security threats maybe more complex this time but the BSF only has to revisit its strategy and plug gaps being exploited by Pakistani terrorists to turn Jammu into a terror hotbed after decades of peace.