Jammu, Feb 6: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, on Friday lauded the bravery and valour displayed by the Border Security Force (BSF) during ‘Operation Sindoor’ and recalled that its (BSFís) Jammu and Kashmir Frontier completely destroyed 118 Pakistani posts and three terrorist launch pads.
He said, ìThe gallantry displayed by the BSF during ‘Operation Sindoor’ added a golden chapter to its six-decade-long history.î
Union Home Minister also asserted that a dedicated team in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was continuously working on the fronts of modernisation and the welfare of BSF personnel and their families as he had announced during the BSF Raising Day celebrations.
He was addressing BSF personnel, during his visit to the Border Out Posts (BOPs) ëGurnamí and ëBobiyaí, located on the India-Pakistan border during the second day of his visit to Jammu.
The Home Minister paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the ìAjey Prahariî memorial and also planted a sapling at the Border Outpost Bobiya.
HM Shah inaugurated projects worth Rs 7 Cr for the welfare of troops, including newly built solar water heaters, solar power plants, and an Officersí mess. He also laid foundation stone for the BSF infrastructure projects worth Rs 242 Cr.
The event was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Director General of the Border Security Force, and other senior officials.
Addressing BSF personnel, he recalled glorious moments of the ëOperation Sindoorí and said, ìBSFís Jammu and Kashmir Frontier completely destroyed 118 Pakistani posts and three terrorist launch pads. In this operation, Sub-Inspector Muhammad Imtiaz Ahmad and Constable Deepak Chingakham, who were killed in the line of duty, were awarded the Vir Chakra, which was a matter of immense pride.î
He said that during this period BSF also received 16 gallantry medals and several commendation certificates.
The Home Minister said that whenever he visited BSF posts located in remote and challenging areas of Kutch, Rajasthan, or Jammu and Kashmir, he always returned with values of duty consciousness and unwavering commitment from the soldiers posted there.
He said that during such visits, he witnessed how BSF personnel performed their duties with deep dedication under difficult and challenging conditions.
He said that border-related challenges changed significantly over the past 60 years. The Home Minister said that while the courage, alertness, and dedication of personnel remained crucial, many emerging challenges were technology-driven.
He said, therefore, advanced technological solutions must be adopted to effectively address them.
Home Minister Shah recalled that during the BSF Raising Day celebrations, he had announced that the 61st year of the BSF would be dedicated to modernisation, as well as to the welfare of BSF personnel and their families.
He said that a dedicated team in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was continuously working on both fronts.
The Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India was fully committed to the welfare of security personnel.
He said that a special welfare scheme for BSF personnel would be introduced soon. Home Minister Shah said that the government would invest substantial funds to technologically modernise the entire border security system.
He said that this modernisation would provide improved border infrastructure and advanced equipment for BSF personnel, enabling them to perform their duties more effectively.
The Home Minister said that these facilities would significantly reduce hardships faced by the soldiers and enhance their operational efficiency.
Shah described BSF personnel as the finest example of discipline and dedication, standing firm day and night to protect the nationís borders.
He said that the BSFís glorious 60-year history instilled the same sense of discipline among the people of the country.
Home Minister Shah said, ìWhenever the nationís borders have faced threats of intrusion or infiltration, the BSF has stood like an impregnable wall, resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the country.î
He said that the bravery and valour displayed by the BSF during ‘Operation Sindoor’ added a golden chapter to its six-decade-long history.
ìEven in the most challenging times, BSF personnel upheld the spirit of ‘We are the sentinels of the border,î the Home Minister said.
Home Minister Shah said that whether deployed along the borders, in the difficult terrain of Manipur, or in Maoist-affected areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the BSF had demonstrated impeccable courage everywhere.
He praised the force for its outstanding humanitarian service during natural disasters, particularly in Punjab.
The Home Minister said that the Chief Minister of Punjab informed him that without the BSF, the challenges during floods would have multiplied manifold.
He said that the BSF rendered invaluable service to the people of Punjab and extended extensive assistance during the crisis.
Home Minister Shah said that it was a shared responsibility to ensure that the nationís borders remain fully secure and vigilant.
He said that it was because of the unwavering sense of duty, dedication, and commitment of BSF personnel stationed along the borders that the entire nation could sleep peacefully and feel secure. Home Minister Shah also appreciated the significant contribution of women personnel in the BSF towards border security.
He later had lunch with the soldiers.
