The Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for safeguarding India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is among the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India and was established following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 with the primary mission of “securing India’s border and addressing associated concerns.”
The Border Security Force (BSF) strongly expressed its objection to the Pakistani Rangers for their unprovoked firing in the Arnia area during the night of October 26-27. A BSF delegation raised its concerns during a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers at the Border Out Post (BoP) Octroi. A BSF official, as reported by news agency ANI, stated that “the meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility along the international border.” The BSF had reportedly responded to unprovoked firing initiated by Pakistani troops two days earlier in the Arnia and RS Pura sectors of Jammu. This responsive action resulted in significant damage to enemy posts and infrastructure that supported terrorist activities.
In a statement released on Friday, a BSF spokesperson declared, “Pakistani Rangers engaged in unprovoked firing and mortar shelling in Arnia, which was met with a fitting response from the BSF. The intermittent firing continued until 3 a.m.” ANI, on Saturday, quoted sources who mentioned that the entire situation began a few days prior when a BSF soldier was fired upon by Pakistani troops while performing maintenance work near the international border fence.
Following the initial incident, BSF posts responded by targeting Pakistani posts. Two days ago, Pakistani troops attempted to attack Indian troops in the same sector. “This time, the BSF leadership had given our troops on the ground a free hand to counter the provocative actions of Pakistani forces, which appeared to be aimed at supporting infiltrating terrorists,” according to the sources. In response to the Pakistani troops’ attack on the BSF post, which resulted in an injury to a soldier two days ago, BSF troops retaliated with heavy firing. This resulted in substantial damage to Pakistani posts and their watchtowers, with a significant number of Pakistan Rangers troops sustaining severe casualties.
According to insiders, “The BSF’s counteraction was so forceful that late into the night, ambulances were visibly moving across the border to transport the wounded to medical centers.” The BSF has substantially increased its presence along the border to deter any possible infiltration. As per the sources, the troops and formation commanders have received clear orders to respond decisively to any provocations from Pakistani forces.