New Delhi: The paramilitary forces may have to wait some more time to have an exclusive airwing to back their operations.

"The Centre government will look into the demand of SSB to allot helicopters to it to meet its professional requirements," Home Minister Shivraj Patil said here today on the occasion of 45th raising day of Sashstra Seema Bal (SSB).

Patil has been giving this assurance to para-military forces including the BSF, CRPF and ITBP for last three years but the issue has been pending with the Cabinet Committee of Security.

Earlier this year, the government cleared an air support for para-military forces with the help of Indian Air Force, a routine practice being followed by them.

While the BSF and ITBP has sought exclusive air backing to ferry its men to and from the border, CRPF has been making a similar demand to help in air dropping and causality evacuation of its personnel as it was engaged in counter-insurgency operations.

SSB also made a similar request for upkeep of its men posted along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders.

Acknowledging that SSB works in areas where transportation is difficult and air service was needed, Patil said, "this force is going to work in a new way...we will look into their demands for increasing funds for them in the Welfare Fund."

Patil took the salute of the colourful parade by the personnel of the force.

Lauding the initiatives of the force, Patil said that the force should live upto its motto of "service, security and brotherhood" and re-dedicate for protecting the "open" borders.

Patil urged the force to facilitate business and cultural exchange between the people while keeping a check on the nefarious activities of trouble-causing elements on border.

SSB was set up in 1962 with the help of British experts in the aftermath of the Chinese invasion.

A major draw of the celebration was the breath-taking show by motorcyclists of the SSB who performed awe-inspiring stunts including border men salute, balancing and the guldasta.   

SSB DG Gopal Sharma while presenting the annual report of the force talked about adopting a new "operation policy" for the paramilitary force.

Source : PTI