ATARI, PUNJAB (PTI): The near total fencing of the Indian border along Pakistan, in combination with “operation Cobra” has been one of the important factors that has controlled militants in Punjab, claims paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF).

The three tier fencing of the 553km long border which India shares with Pakistan.

Fencing has been completed along nearly 500kms, costing approximately Rs 20 billion.

A thin wire passing through the ‘concertina’ and barbed wire fence discharges 220kva of electricity during curfew hours between 1800 hours and 0500 hours each day.

The fencing, which is 150 to 2(X) yards inside the Indian boundary, has two 10foot barbed wire fences placed nearly six feet apart and the vacant area is filled with ‘concertina’ bladed wire.

At dusk, the wires get electrified and powerful sodium bulbs bathe the area with light to enable BSF entries atop lookout post dotting the fence keep a watchful eye.

The average cost of putting up these fences are Rs 2.4 million per kilometer and floodlighting Rs 1.5 million per km, BSF officers said.

Such is the fencing that barring a few spots like ditches, the entire area has been covered, Even the railway line which ferries passengers on the “Samjhauta express” from Lahore to Amritsar or vice ‘versa is closed with the help of high iron gates each night.

At dusk, BSF personnel put padlocks, which are then sealed in the presence of senior officials. The seal is broken the next day to enable farmers to work in their fields which lie across the border.

Once curfew comes into force BSF has orders to shoot at sight any person spotted on the other side of the fence, the officers said.

However, without surveillance fencing alone would not have been a deterrent, the officers said and added that many attempts were made to breach it.

They said wire cutting and specially made pliers to disconnect charged wires were used in some sectors.

“In some cases we even hung tiny bells so that the electrified wires start ringing as soon as anyone attempts to clip them,” They said.

Sometimes there are sensors on the wires and any attempt to tamper will send the signal to the sentries.

Each of the lookout post, placed at a gap of 200 meters, are manned through curfew hours by armed Sentries equipped with searchlights, wireless or telephonic equipment. ‘The BSF said these steps had made the borders secure and foiled plans of Pakistan to sneak in trained militants or smuggle in arms.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 12, 1993