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Union Home Minister Amit Shah commemorated the 59th Raising Day of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, by honoring the personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The BSF, the world’s largest border guarding force with nearly 2.5 lakh personnel, observes its Raising Day on December 1 each year.
Mandated with guarding the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, the BSF holds a unique position as the only force with a clearly defined wartime and peacetime role. Over the years, it has demonstrated its capabilities in fulfilling assigned tasks during times of war and peace, ensuring peace and tranquility on the borders.
#WATCH | Hazaribagh, Jharkhand: On the BSF's 59th Raising Day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Yesterday, I reviewed the fight we are having with leftist extremism. Today I want to inform that we are on its verge. That day is not away when the country would be completely… pic.twitter.com/JZ0rwIXan6
— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2023
The BSF, stationed in challenging terrains and remote locations, serves as the guardians of India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The force was established on December 1, 1965, following the inadequacy of the State Armed Police to cope with armed aggression during the 1965 attack on Sardar Post, Chhar Bet, and Beria Bet in Kutch by Pakistan.
Initially raised with 25 battalions, the BSF expanded over time to meet the nation’s requirements, particularly in countering militancy in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Northeast region. Presently, the BSF comprises 192 battalions (including three National Disaster Response Force battalions) and seven BSF artillery regiments, safeguarding the international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Beyond border security, the BSF plays a crucial role in anti-infiltration efforts in the Kashmir Valley, counter-insurgency operations in the North East region, anti-naxal operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh states, and the security of integrated checkposts along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders. The force’s dedication and contributions underline its pivotal role in maintaining national security and territorial integrity.
