Initiatives Related to Non-state Actors and Pakistan Border

Fencing: In the 1990s, India began to fence the massive border, of which 550 kms in J&K were completed in 2004. By 2011, almost all of the border fencing – along J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat – was completed. Overall, the sanctioned fencing was 2,043.63 km of which the government has completed 1,958 km.

• Smart Fence Mechanism: Under this mechanism, laser walls and heat sensor system will be installed on the boundary.
• ‘Area Domination’ Strategy: Under this strategy, a string of 609 BOPs have been established along the international boundary from where BSF personnel are sent out for patrolling, surveillance and gathering intelligence or information. In the Jammu sector, where the frequency of infiltration and sniping from across the border is high, a multilayer defence structure in the form of fencing, ditch-cum-bund and a string of fortified BOPs have been put in place.
• To guard the creek areas in Gujarat, the BSF has raised a marine battalion named BSF (Water Wing) at Bhuj.
• Establishment of Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) project in mission mode to facilitate safe and convenient entry to the country to legitimate international travellers and to keep a tab on illegal migration.
• Integrated Check Posts (ICP): The India-Pakistan international border has developed two checkpoints to ensure seamless movement of goods and persons. These are located at Attari (rail and road) in Punjab and Munabao (rail) in Rajasthan.
• Development of the Border Areas: Government of India initiated the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) which focuses on implementing projects related to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sectors.
• India has signed bilateral agreement/MoUs on drug related matters with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Myanmar.
• Initiation of Director General Level talks between Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India and Anti-Narcotics Force, Pakistan are being held annually between both agencies on issues related to drug trafficking. This has led to improved coordination between various drug enforcement agencies.
• The Border Guarding Forces such as Border Security Force & Sashashtra Seema Bal (SSB) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for making interdiction of narcotic drugs. Financial assistance is being provided to eligible States for strengthening their narcotic units at the Border States.
• Monetary rewards for information leading to seizures of Narcotic drugs/ destruction of illicit crops to informers and officers are also being provided.
• Balakot and Uri Surgical Strikes: In recent times, the government in response to the terrorist attacks on the Indian army, there are two surgical strikes has been performed to eliminate the disturbing non-state actors in and across the Line of Action (LoC), by our Armed Forces (Uri on 28-29 September, 2016 and Balakot airstrike on February 26, 2019 under Operation ‘Bandar’). Such pro-active steps from the Indian government will act as deterrence for further terrorists attacks on Indian lands.