On alert for R-Day, security forces fortify borders

The BSF and the Army have increased the security on the 198-km-long international border and the 744-km-long Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.
Post-Pathankot attack and following intelligence inputs, the security forces have heightened the security on the Indo-Pak borders in the state for January 26.
“Islamabad has always had weak political governments subservient to the Pakistani army, which will never stop orchestrating terror attacks on India. And its political government comfortably attributes such attacks to non-state actors,” said an Army officer.
“Knowing Pakistan’s pulse, a high alert has been sounded all along the international border. All field commanders and men on the ground have been sensitised and asked to maintain a strict vigil because we have been getting intelligence inputs of possible disruptions by Pakistani militants on January 26,” said a senior BSF source.
“Though there has been no activity close to the border but there is a movement of ultras deep in their (Pakistan) boundary. We are closely monitoring all their activities because one never knows what they are up to,” he said.
The BSF has already put in place the winter strategy on the sensitive border when Pakistani militants shift their focus from the rugged LoC to the largely plain international border.
The BSF has nine battalions on the international border (one battalion has 1,200 men) and senior officers, including Jammu Frontier IG RK Sharma, have been regularly visiting field commanders and men, he said.
The Army has also heightened vigil on the LoC. “Though there are apprehensions of mischief under the garb of Pakistan’s oft-repeated plea of non-state actors, we are on a high alert,” said a defence source.
“What happened in Pathankot was the result of a security lapse on the international border and Pakistan always looks for pushing ultras to this side. So, we are more alert,” the source added.
Defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami said, “The Army is always alert on the LoC to respond to any challenge. We have a robust counter-infiltration strategy, which has an appropriate mix of technology and human resources, while we simultaneously target the remaining terrorists in the hinterland.”
Jammu SSP Uttam Chand said MA Stadium, the main venue for the Republic Day function, had been sealed and security was being reviewed and enhanced on a daily basis.
“More than 1,500 policemen are being deployed at MA Stadium, Raghunath Temple, railway station, bus stand, Bahu Fort and at other vital areas,” he said.
On January 26, 1995, then Governor KV Krishna Rao had escaped a bid on his life after three bombs went off at short intervals within MA Stadium, killing eight persons and injuring 45 others.