BSF is Just A Border Policing Force And Certainly Not Organized And Equipped As ‘First Line of Defence’
The Border Security Force (BSF) is just a border policing force against cross border movements, smuggling and incursions by the opposing police or paramilitary force. Though it cannot withstand any military assault, The Media hype since ages has been projecting an image as First Line of Defence.
It is a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs whose role is defined as ‘security of the border of India and matters connected therewith’. The tasks of the BSF were divided into peacetime and wartime. The peacetime tasks include preventing smuggling and any other illegal activity, and unauthorised entry into or exit from the territory of India, etc.
The wartime tasks of the BSF include holding ground in less threatened sectors, As Decided And Allotted By The Indian Army. Until 1965, India’s border with Pakistan was manned by various state armed police battalions. The BSF was raised in the aftermath of the 1965 war with Pakistan. Pakistan’s attacks in Kutch exposed the inadequacy of the state armed police to cope with armed aggression. That is why, the government of India felt the need for a specialized, centrally controlled border security force, which would be armed and trained to man the international border with Pakistan.
The BSF was not supposed to take on the enemy army but to keep a close surveillance on all the activities near the border on the other side and help Army to have an updated intelligence data.Aim of deployment of this force was also to prevent the Armies of two sides getting involved over minor incidents at local level. In case situation demanded then the BSF posts would be re organized that is less important ones strung parallel to the border would be withdrawn and only those holding important defensible positions would get reinforced. With further build up of enemy, these posts would be withdrawn or taken over by the Army as per its tactical plan.
At inception BSF was to be a true Paramilitary Force,that is organized and patterned on the lines of Infantry and officered by regular Army officers on deputation, akin to Assam Rifles. However at that time in 1966, Army itself was expanding at a fast rate and could not give out more than token number of officers on deputation.Also after the 1965 War there was no urgency since there was no militancy or terrorism in that era, the question of infiltration of terrorists did not arise. Though this was a shortsightedness of the top leadership of the Army of that period.
So at inception, the leadership to BSF was provided by, the Indian Police Service (IPS) Officers. Naturally BSF in time developed a police ethos and working mentality and became a Central Armed Police Force. Though Media backed by bureaucracy launched a campaign to project it as a paramilitary force. The IPS leadership over a time relegated the wartime role of the BSF to such an extent that it got totally forgotten. Probably it came unintentionally while trying to hide their own ignorance of matters military.
So today while BSF is doing a wonderful job of a Central Police Force ( more because of its own permanent cadre ), it is not at all organized or equipped to take on its paramilitary role. In the event of situation sort of war also, this media projected first line of defence will simply evaporate. Unlike 1965, the Pakistani Rangers are a much superior force. A surprise attack by the Rangers or by their regular Army will push them back deep. Counter Attack by the Indian Army may not be immediate and then we can just imagine the situation. The mental make up of the Force, its IPS leadership and that of its Controller ….the Home Ministry mandarins Says It All.This is how the Parliament gets advised :
“The Two Hundred Third Report of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, titled ‘Border Security: Capacity Building and Institutions’, submitted to the Rajya Sabha on April 11, 2017, does not talk about the wartime role of the BSF even once. It talks only of its peacetime role including fencing, floodlights and roads along the borders, development of integrated check posts, and construction of strategic roads. Speaking of the ceasefire violations at Chapter 4.6.3, the report says …..There have been a large number of ceasefire violations and several jawans and civilians have been killed… The government should find a way to prevent the frequent and persistent violations of ceasefire including using diplomatic channels. Ultimately, the answer lies in diplomacy. Fighting an enemy was never contemplated “.
On our side, we are talking of Cold Start and integrated battle groups to implement it. So will not the Pakistanis also be thinking on similar lines. Any surprise attack by their Force in Kutch or Rajasthan, will simply vaporize our this “ first line of defence “in minutes. The enemy infantry will never come on foot as imagined by the Home Ministry.In fact the Border Outposts are not even sighted or organized for defence, as done by a Company defended locality of an infantry company. These outposts are more like that depicted in the famous Bollywood hit BORDER. The BSF Posts cannot withstand a planned artillery shelling.
Therefore now it has become imperative to reorganize the BSF as a Border Guarding Paramilitary Force. The force already has its own cadre of leadership. So at the earliest, it should be made mandatory for the newly selected Assistant Commandants to first under the SSB and then train at OTA, Chennai and then serve for 5 years as Short Service Commissioned officer and then going back permanently to BSF. Those not clearing the SSB will have to be assessed for serving as direct entry JCO or Havildar for 7 years. Also with immediate effect all IPS officers be repatriated to their respective cadres and their 70 % vacancies be filled by promoting suitable BSF officers through a stringent selection process. Balance 30% officers to be on deputation from the Army, so that military ethos starts seeping in to replace police mode of functioning.
A similar reorientation is required fir the ITBP. The CRPF and other CAPF be can then be merged to firm the National Guards.
