BSF to get 16 new battalions, 2 field HQs for Pakistan, Bangladesh borders
The in-principle clearance has already been granted by the Indian government, with the BSF receiving a mandate to ‘secure’ the border with Pakistan as well as Bangladesh
In the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Kashmir, India has given the go ahead for its Border Security Force(BSF) to create 16 new battalions, which accounts for roughly 17,000 soldiers, and two new field headquarters.
The in-principle clearance has already been granted by the Indian government, with the BSF receiving a mandate to 'secure' the border with Pakistan as well as Bangladesh, says Sangri Today.
Official sources have stated that some of the last clearances, including from India's Finance Ministry, are awaited for constituting these battalions, which could be issued soon.
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Once they receive clearance, India's BSF will begin recruiting men and women for these battalions, then they will be trained. So five or six years can be estimated for creating these battalions. Currently, BSF operates 193 battalions for defending both the borders, and in one battalion there are over a thousand soldiers.
Sources said that India's Union Home Ministry has also approved two field headquarters of BSF. One of these will be established in Jammu to increase security on the international border with Pakistan in Jammu and Punjab, while the other will be established in Mizoram to increase vigilance on the border with Bangladesh.
According to officials, BSF, which has 2.7 lakh personnel, had sent a proposal to the Indian Home Ministry a few years ago to form 20-21 new battalions in view of increasing challenges and rapidly changing security scenario.
