Four more laser beams will be activated soon.
Dileep Thekkethil
Border Security Force of India has installed a dozen “laser walls” in different areas of Indo-Pak border in Punjab to keep a close watch of the highly sensitive frontline that infiltrators find soft target due to the treacherous terrain and porous riverine.
According to a senior BSF officer, eight infrared and laser beams are currently operational in the sensitive areas of the Indo-Pak international border in Punjab and another four more will be installed in the coming days.
The officers of the BSF that guards the Indo-Pak borders in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Gujarat, will keep a tight vigil of the areas were the laser beams are activated.
The decision to tighten the border security in the sensitive areas using modern equipments was taken two years back in the backdrop of the increasing cross border terror. The highly treacherous terrains of the Punjab border made it difficult for the security forces to install wired fences hence they had to find an alternative to protect the borders.
The immediate reason for the activation of the laser beams is the Pathankot attack, which was carried out by terrorists who are believed to have crossed the Bamiyal border area in Punjab.
According to PIT, 45 laser/infrared beams will be made operational across Indo-Pak international borders in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
According to the agency, BSF with the assistance of experts, is conducting a pilot project to make the international borders of Jammu and Kashmir more secure by using specially developed sensors in the borderlines that are capable of sensing even the slightest movements that can be vital in thwarting infiltration attempts.
“The laser walls have started working and their functioning is being monitored. Preliminary results in detecting illegal movements are encouraging,” the official said.
The officer also said that the borders will be kept on close watch through a satellite-based signal command system and the will be equipped with night and fog visibility tools.
There are also reports that the Home Ministry has approved four similar kind of pilot project that will be executed in a stretch of 30-40 km along the international border in Jammu, Gujarat and along the Indo-Bangla border.
Pathankot attack was an eye opener for the Border Security Force as more than a 1000 additional men have been deployed in the Punjab sector to increase ambush operations and patrolling in the area.