Border Security Force celebrates Raising Day in New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 1(ANI): The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday celebrated its Raising Day in the national capital.

A border patrol agency of the Union government, the BSF was established on December 1, 1965.

It is a component of the paramilitary forces (PMF) and its primary role is to guard India's international borders during peacetime and also prevent transnational crime.

Like most paramilitary units of India, the BSF is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken, who was present at the ceremony as the guest of honour, praised the BSF soldiers by saying that their vigilant security at the borders kept civilians safe.

Maken further said that BSF is an expert in combating Maoists, and the special programmes conducted by them are giving quite positive response.

"This is the specialty of BSF that through civic action programme they not only prepare civilians to fight against Naxals (Maoists), but also socially indulge with them; moreover we have got reports about it. Until and unless local people support these operations we can never win such battles," Maken said.

He also stated that the Union government is continuously working on developing the infrastructure to facilitate the BSF soldiers.

"As far as border security force is concerned we are trying to cover up the gap between two border out put posts. We are also installing floodlights and barbwires specialty where we share borders with Bangladesh. We are also constructing roads," Makan said.

During the ceremony, the BSF soldiers presented various motorcycle stunts shows.

Specially-trained dogs also showcased their ability to detect arms and ammunitions.

With a strength of 240,000 personnel in 186 battalions, including women battalions, the BSF is one of the world's largest border patrol forces. (ANI)