Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai Tuesday said that five Indian soldiers have lost their lives along India-Pakistan border over the past three years.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the minister said that four soldiers were killed in 2021, while one soldier lost his life in 2022 along the Line of Control (LoC).
He said that the government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against terrorism, including at the Indo-Pak border, and the approach of the government is to dismantle the terror ecosystem.
He further said that the government has taken several measures, which has resulted in controlling the terrorist activities along the border.
He said that the measures include close and effective coordination between intelligence and security agencies at the Centre and the State levels on all terrorism related matters.
“Strengthening of Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and organising it to function on a 24×7 basis for real time collation and sharing of intelligence on all terrorism related matters with other intelligence agencies and States, and to ensure seamless flow of information between the State and the Central agencies,” he said.
The minister stated that raising of special forces by the States/UTs to deal with terror incidents. Central Armed Police Forces and National Security Guard have also been stationed at different locations to assist the States in dealing with such incidents.
“The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been established for investigation of terrorism related cases. Central agencies have organised capacity building programmes for the State Forces regarding intelligence sharing and investigation of terror cases,” he said.
He also said that there is a multi-pronged approach of the border guarding forces to prevent terrorist infiltration by way of ensuring round the clock domination of the borders, regular patrolling, carrying out anti tunnelling exercises, laying nakas and manning observation posts all along the International Border.
“Physical infrastructure in the form of border fence has been erected and maintained along the international border and border flood lights have been installed to illuminate the area during hours of darkness,” he said.
The minister further stated vulnerable border outposts are regularly reviewed and strengthened by deploying additional manpower, special surveillance equipment and other force multipliers.
He said that a technological solution in the form of comprehensive integrated border management system (CIBMS) has been implemented in vulnerable border areas. “Advisory to border guarding forces to maintain strict vigilance and surveillance and take all possible steps for preventing infiltration,” he said—(KNO)
