BSF-CRPF to jointly fight Naxals: Srivastava

Wagah, Oct 5 (ANI): The Director General (DG) of the BSF, Raman Srivastava, today said that the Government has decided to strengthen the Border Security Force by deploying other paramilitary soldiers along with them to fight Naxalites, who have emerged as one of the biggest threats to the internal security of the country.

Talking to reporters on Monday at Wagah after inspecting the border area of Punjab along with Pakistan, the BSF DG informed that the jawans of the CRPF would join the BSF in the Maoist infested states for anti-Naxal operations.

Reiterating BSF's stand of giving befitting reply to any Pakistani misadventure, Srivastava said that the BSF would give befitting reply in future if any misdeed will be committed by Pakistan.

To increase morale of the force and give monitory benefits to BSF personals fighting militancy, insurgency and working in inhospitable conditions, Srivastava informed that a proposal was sent to the government to provide BSF jawans allowances at par with Army.

In recent past, the government has decided to deploy the BSF along with the CRPF in the Maoist infested states.

He informed that 29 new battalions have been sanctioned.

In a good will gesture, the BSF DG gave sweets to Pakistan Rangers Lt. Colonel Akbar Ali Butt on the Zero line at Attari international border. (ANI)