BSF forwards proposal of re-fencing on International Border

Jammu, nov 29 (UNI) The Border Security Force (BSF) has forwarded to the Centre a proposal of re-fencing on the Indo-Pak International Border (IB), a senior BSF official said here today.

Talking to reporters, Inspector General Jammu frontiers S C Vaid said BSF had forwarded a proposal for re-fencing, at least 38-km-long of area spread in various patches, which would be close to the IB as fencing was initially done ''much inside the Indian territory due to firing from Pakistan''.

The patches that would be re-fenced are of 500 mtrs to 700 mtrs in length, Mr Vaid said.

On the overall fencing, he said, ''today 184.8 KM of security fence has been erected well in time and work on the remaining 1.2 km is nearing completion and will be completed by the end of next month.'' When asked how much BSF has prepared in view of activities of improving defenses across the fencing, Mr Vaid said BSF was prepared to face any enemy challenge.

On the modernisation of the force, he said they had all the modern equipment for surveillance.

''As far as modernisation is concerned, we have sufficient modern equipment.

''Some new equipment is also in the pipeline,'' he said, but declined to comment further.

To a query on Bangladeshi nationals ex filtrating to Pakistan, he said BSF was alert to contain any such attempt.

''Only in 2006 BSF has arrested 309 Bangladeshis and 50 Myanmar nationals attempting to cross over illegally from India to Pakistan,'' he informed.

He, however, said attempts by Bangladeshis were ''no big threat'' to the country.

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