International Border at J&K: Pakistani troops frequently open fire and terrorists
are intermittently sent towards the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir
to cause blasts. The aim is one -- to disrupt the fencing work on the frontier.
Already at least four BSF (Border Security Force) jawans have been killed and more
than 30 hurt in such "hostile" actions of Pakistan. But the construction work is
progressing steadily and much of the target has been accomplished.
The fencing is being erected along the IB to prevent infiltration of terrorists from
Pakistan. Along with fencing, floodlighting of the border is also being undertaken.
"Pakistan is creating hurdles because it realises that erection of fencing would
spoil its efforts to push terrorists into the state," says BSF Commandant J K Singh.
"We not only have to protect our men and labourers engaged in fencing work, but also
the fence as the enemy is hell-bent to destroy it," adds Singh, whose battalion is
deployed along the IB.
Two-thirds of fencing work in his area of operation has been completed and the rest
is expected to finish by June. Construction of the fence at the entire border is
scheduled to be completed by the year 2006, but top BSF officials are confident that
the task could be accomplished even earlier as it has picked up speed lately.
The fencing and flood-lighting, which would go a long way in preventing infiltration
of terrorists, is costing the national exchequer Rs 23 lakh per kilometre and Rs 11
lakh per
kilometre, respectively.
However, it has not been a smooth sail for the government to see realisation of its
ambitious project. Many ups and downs have been seen since the project was
conceptualised in early 1990s.
As soon as militancy broke out in Jammu and Kashmir in late 1980s, the government
hit upon the plan of fencing the border on the pattern of Punjab where it proved
effective in
halting infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan.
The job was entrusted to Central Public Works Department (CPWD) in 1994. But even as
it began constructing pickets, heavy Pakistani firing greeted them.
"Shaken and terrorised, the CPWD refused to carry on," said a top BSF official.
Thereafter, the government thought of entrusting the task to Army engineers but did
not do so for some "unknown reasons".
There was no progress for six years, before BSF took up the challenge, the official
said.
"Such were the difficult conditions due to continuous Pakistani firing that a mere
15 kilometres could be fenced in one year," the BSF official said explaining that
the force had to arrange engineers, labourers and supplies on its own.
PTI
