JAMMU: Fencing along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir will be resumed soon, in spite of interruptions by Pakistan, Border Security Force Inspector General R.S, Mehta said.
Speaking to Presspersons last week, he said the fencing work which was being executed under the supervision Of the CPWD had to be suspended a few months ago because of heavy Shelling by the Pakistani troops, However, the BSF personnel would now Provide protection to the contractors and laborers and assist them in completing the task.
Mr. Mehta said the Government had also provided funds for procurement of better equipment’s and other safety Measures to execute the work.
He said the BSF was short of manpower which was making it difficult for them to man the highly porous ‘border with Pakistan, and there was a. lot of pressure on the force.
Despite this shortcoming, the force had made a record seizure of narcotics and other contraband material this year as compared to last year, and ‘captured a number of Pakistan trained militants, intruders and smugglers.
The force had also made a haul of 571 gold biscuits worth Rs30, 000,000 in international market this year, as against 77 biscuits last year.
The BSF also located a full grown poppy field in a remote village in the Poonch sector.
Mr. Mehta also said the force captured a number of Pakistan trained militants and intruders, and killed 22 militants including five foreign mercenaries in various encounters this year.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Rangers are conniving in Narco militant activities launched from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir, according to Inspector General of BSF, Jammu frontier, R.S. Mehta,
“Their active connivance in these operations of Narco-militant is beyond doubt since huge quantities of narcotics cannot find their way up to the border without help of those manning the international border,” Mr. Mehta told reporters.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 8, 1995
