India Improves Defence Infrastructure By Fortifying BSF Bunkers Along Pak Border

Security agencies have upgraded their defence infrastructure, including the construction of ramps for Army tanks and the reinforcement of BSF bunkers along the International Border with Pakistan.

The first phase of infrastructure renovation and creation was recently completed on a stretch of 26 kilometre along the Jammu border and work on another 33 kilometre in the same region is currently underway.

The announcement comes a year after the two countries announced a military truce in 2021.

Jammu and Kashmir share a 192-kilometre frontage on the total 2,289-kilometre India-Pakistan International Boundary (IB) that runs through Gujarat and Rajasthan on the country's western flank. The 772-kilometre-long Line of Control (LoC) between the two sides runs primarily through Kashmir.

The most recent defence infrastructure upgrade entails the construction and renovation of multiple DCBs (ditch-cum-bandhs), the repair of damaged border fences, the structure of ramps for the movement of army tanks to forward areas, the upgrade of Border Security Force 'morchas' (troop posts), bunkers and locations for the installation of surveillance and other protection mechanisms, officials said, adding that the Union Home Ministry has sanctioned the funds.

They said that these works had begun and that the first phase of the 26-kilometre stretch had been completed. The mud tracks used by BSF troop carrier vehicles to reach border posts in the Jammu region have also been levelled. According to officials, the levelling work on these approach routes has also been completed in many places.

Similarly, the BSF is converting the bunkers for its troops at 115 forward defence locations (FDLs) along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir region from CGI (corrugated galvanised iron) to solar-powered compartments made of steel. “Pakistan is also doing similar work and both sides keep each other informed if any major work is done near the fence,” a senior BSF officer said.

Except for a few violations, such as when Pakistan violated the agreement and opened an unprovoked fire in Jammu on 6 September, officials said the 2021 ceasefire agreement is holding well.

This ceasefire violation occurred while the Indian side was performing “maintenance work” in Jammu's Arnia sector. Following a flag meeting between the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers, they added that it was decided to maintain the ceasefire. 

Respecting the ceasefire pact allows peace to prevail along the IB and border populace, including farmers, to carry on their normal work uninterrupted and without fear of flying mortar shells and indiscriminate gunfire carried out by the other side on a regular basis, they said. 

The Army guards the 772 km-long LoC, while the BSF secures approximately 435 km.