Kolkata, 05 June (H.S.): In a significant move to enhance surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border, particularly across the challenging terrain of the remote Sunderbans, the Border Security Force (BSF) has sought technical assistance from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The initiative is aimed at strengthening monitoring systems across the 123-kilometre-long water border where BSF currently conducts regular patrols.
BSF officials believe that surveillance needs immediate reinforcement across at least 113 kilometres of this stretch. To accomplish this, the force has proposed deploying advanced technology including drones, radars, and high observation towers to ensure comprehensive monitoring in the dense water-forest zone. The request to DRDO highlights the need for sophisticated tools to make the region nearly impenetrable to illegal or hostile activity.
According to sources, BSF has planned the construction of at least seven observation towers within this region. Multiple rounds of meetings have already been held with senior officials of the West Bengal state administration in Kolkata regarding land allocation for these towers. However, no land has yet been officially allotted. The delay has been reported by BSF to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, central agencies have called for heightened vigilance along all international borders, including the Indo-Bangladesh frontier. The construction of additional towers in this sensitive segment of the Sunderbans has now become a national security priority.
Intelligence inputs shared with border states including West Bengal suggest a surge in activities by radical groups in Bangladesh, particularly following the change in government there on August 05 last year. These groups are suspected to be attempting cross-border infiltration with the intention of executing large-scale terror operations in India.
Currently, the BSF maintains several Border Out Posts (BOPs) and two tall surveillance towers in the Sunderbans. It also operates high-speed patrol boats that serve as floating outposts. However, given the growing threat perception, BSF officials assert that additional fixed surveillance structures are essential.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has urged the West Bengal government to expedite land approvals for this project. A senior ministry official stated, “Discussions are ongoing with the state regarding land issues. BSF has submitted a detailed proposal outlining specific land requirements for each proposed site. We are hopeful for an early resolution.”
Simultaneously, under the Centre’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, efforts to identify and repatriate illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living in India have been intensified. More than 2,000 individuals have already been pushed back across the border.
This repatriation drive has seen active cooperation from several state governments including Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Recently, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a meeting in Kolkata with West Bengal’s Home Secretary and Director General of Police, urging them to expedite the identification and deportation process of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh