India is soon going to give approval to the Border Security Force (BSF) to form 16 new battalions of about 17,000 soldiers and two new field headquarters following the attack in Pehalgaon, Kashmir.
This information has been reported in various Indian media reports.
The report said that the government has already given in-principle clearance. The BSF has received an order to ‘secure’ the border with Pakistan as well as Bangladesh.
Citing government sources, the report said that some final clearances, including from the Finance Ministry, are awaited for the formation of this battalion, which may be issued soon.
After receiving the clearance, the Indian BSF will start recruiting men and women for this battalion, after which they will be trained. Therefore, it may take five or six years to form this battalion. Currently, the BSF operates 193 battalions to guard both the borders, with each battalion having over 1,000 soldiers.
Sources said that the Union Home Ministry has approved two field headquarters for the BSF. One will be set up in Jammu and Punjab to enhance security along the international border with Pakistan, while the other will be set up in Mizoram to enhance surveillance along the Bangladesh border.
According to officials, in view of the growing challenges and rapidly changing security situation, the BSF had sent a proposal to the Indian Home Ministry a few years ago for raising 20-21 new battalions. Sources: The Hindu, PTI, The Economic Times