New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath said BSF troopers gave “a befitting reply” when Pakistan violated the ceasefire.
“Our BSF jawans are the most concerned about ‘Rashtriya Swabhiman’ (national pride). No power can cast an evil eye on our country,” said Rajnath Singh at the Border Security Force (BSF) Raising Day Parade programme on Monday.
“People of India are by and large peaceful by nature but if anyone dares to challenge our sense of pride BSF will give a befitting reply,” he said.
Highlighting the force’s role during war time, he said that the BSF has always been the first line of defence.
He added that a booklet giving an account of all the sacrifices made by the BSF men should be published.
“I am aware of your grievances and the government is sensitive to the issues facing the BSF,” he added.
He also said that the force should play an active role in stopping cattle smuggling at India-Bangladesh border.
The minister also paid tributes to the troopers and officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
“On BSF Raising Day, we salute our BSF personnel, who tirelessly and courageously protect our borders. Their dedication and valour always inspire,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Border Security Force (BSF) is celebrating its 49th Raising day. The force was raised on December 1, in 1965.
The BSF is being extensively utilised on internal security duties in several states. Besides, it is manning 3,323 kms length Indo-Pakistan border, which runs through the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
The force is also deployed over 288.95 km in the Line of Control (LoC) bordering Pakistan.
It is also entrusted with the duty of manning 4,096.70 kms long India-Bangladesh border, which runs along the states of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
(With inputs from PTI)
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