On December 5, 2023, the Inspector General of the Border Security Force (BSF), D.K. Boora, in Jammu, said that Hamas-like attacks cannot happen and are not possible in Jammu and Kashmir because of the security model adopted and the extra thrust put on the man behind the machine.
Statement by BSF Chief
“Whenever any event of security implications takes place in the world, it is regularly discussed in the BSF. I do not think such a Hamas-like thing is possible. Our security apparatus and its model are different.
We cannot only rely on technology, thinking all our security concerns are addressed. We do not believe in that. We have put extra thrust on the man behind the machine. Our local innovations are more fruitful many times than what has been adopted outside. The reason is we are close to the ground realities,” IG Boora said.
He made these remarks in his reply to a specific question on the possibility of a Hamas-like attack in Jammu, given the similarities in topography of the region, which is highly similar to that of Israel. On October 7, 2023, hundreds of Israelis were killed in an attack launched by Hamas using motorised paraglides.
Anti-Drone Measures
IG Boora also expressed his satisfaction over the upgradation of technological and physical measures along the Indian border in Jammu to counter infiltration and drone threats emanating from Pakistan. He said that the drone activity near the International Border (IB) has dropped to zero this year.
“There were sympathisers in the hinterland who would receive weapons dropped by drones near the border. It had resulted in an increase in drone infiltration in 2022. However, with the arrest of the gang members, there are no receivers now. It has brought the drone activity to zero. The BSF officer said all weapons delivered from drones are now been discovered and are under the control of Security forces and personnel.
All Weather Surveillance
Refusing to disclose the details about the upgrade on account of smart fencing and anti-drone technology made for the IB for tactical reasons, the IG of the BSF said. We are also fully prepared to thwart any infiltration attempts on the borders during the winter season. The BSF security arrangements every two months every two months and factors in the seasonal patterns. We have different security set up for the rainy seasons, winter, harvest season, foggy weather, and snowfall when the passes close.
Infiltration via Tunnels
The BSF chief also said that they were successful in thwarting the threat of infiltration through tunnels in Jammu, too. In the last year, no such infiltration was reported. Technological and physical steps have been taken to counter infiltration using tunnels,” IG Boora said. Meanwhile, Ashok Yadav, IG of the BSF of the Kashmir Frontier, also visited forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir Kupwara. A BSF spokesman said IG Yadav’s tour was to ensure strategic preparedness of the unit under extreme weather challenges.
