Kolkata, 4 July (H.S.):

A high-level one-day Field Commanders’ Conference was held on Friday at the Eastern Command Headquarters of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Kolkata. The meeting was chaired by Additional Director General (Eastern Command), Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, IPS, and attended by Inspectors General of six frontier headquarters under the Eastern Command, heads of two training institutions, and other senior officers of the BSF.

The conference began with a welcome address by IG (Operations) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, who emphasized the importance of integrated leadership, strategic planning, and coordinated operations.

During the proceedings, ADG Aggarwal highlighted the need for technological modernization, proactive community engagement, and adaptive leadership to enhance border management. He directed all field commanders to remain fully prepared for operational and logistical challenges. Special emphasis was laid on expediting land acquisition cases along the Bangladesh border in a mission mode and completing fencing work in unfenced stretches at the earliest.

Effective management of the Sundarbans region also came under serious discussion. ADG Aggarwal commended BSF’s exceptional control capabilities in border areas and its service-oriented approach towards local communities. He stated that any form of negligence in border security would not be tolerated. He stressed adopting the latest surveillance technologies, developing smart solutions, and cultivating forward-looking strategies to tackle emerging threats.

The conference also covered key security concerns including illegal infiltration, cattle smuggling, drug trafficking, and other trans-border crimes. Special attention was given to the current situation in Manipur, where the BSF plays a significant role. The ADG underlined the need for stronger coordination with state police, intelligence agencies, and other central forces for joint operations. He also acknowledged the vigilant role played by border-area civilians, calling them the “invisible sentinels” of the nation.

Further deliberations focused on strengthening cooperation with Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) to enhance cross-border crime prevention efforts.

The conference concluded with a vote of thanks by DIG (Administration) G. L. Meena, who expressed gratitude to the chair and all participants for their unwavering commitment and active engagement in the service of the nation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh