New Delhi: As the BSF raises its vigil along the Indo-Pak border in the wake of Mumbai terror carnage, the paramilitary force is facing an acute manpower crunch in its intelligence and combat ranks.

The force's intelligence set up known as the "G" (General) branch needs at least 400 additional personnel and had placed a demand of a company (about 100 people) in this regard in 2003 before the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which is yet to be met.

The G branch, sanctioned in 1977, is functioning with a strength of more than 1,100 personnel now.

The BSF has also demanded additional battalions exclusively for border management since 2006 for the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, which is highly porous.

"As the first responder in case of a war-like situation, the force finds itself at a loss as it has limited manpower for intelligence gathering along the 2,526 kilometre Indo-Pak border and 4,096 kilometre Indo-Bangla border," a Home Ministry official said.

The force, according to sources, also needs "interceptor" abilities to intrude into suspicious mobile networks along land and riverine areas near the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla borders. 
Source : PTI