August 12, 2017 at 8.57 PM the official twitter handle of the Border security force(BSF) tweeted 4 photographs which will give you glimpse of what our security goes through to keep our border secure. Flash floods and landslides have cut off north Bengal from the rest of the country, with floodwaters inundating rail tracks and roads, affecting lakhs of civilians. And it’s only going to get worse as the weather department has predicted heavy rain today.

Though civilians are left in the wobble due to the floods, for the personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF), however, it’s just another day. They have been braving the floods and guarding the posts in waist-deep water.

The BSF with the moto जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य (Duty unto Death) not only guards our borders but save lives in any natural disaster and catastrophe. 

We at tfipost.com constantly try bringing stories which needs to be highlighted as we brought the story of assistant commandant from the 113 Battalion of the Border Security Force (Anubhav Atrey)

Since these stories do not bring the TRP thus the images did not draw attention of any mainstream media channels and even Facebook pages (Except the frustrated Indian). The images not only tell us the cost of this sense of security we enjoy sitting at home costs but also highlight the condition in which armed forces work at borders so we at home can enjoy programs on 15^th Aug.

The cost of our independence was very high and to maintain it our armed forces are guarding the frontiers with an eagle-eye and they get ruthless to enemy when they try entering our country.

The first line of defence not only works in day and night 24×7 but in any condition and these four photographs show exactly the same. These four Photos are sure to make you a BSF fan for the rest of your life.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

I have been in the floods during 2005 Mumbai floods and 2015 Chennai flood and this 3 to 4 ft. water above your waist is very painful and in areas where constructions are in progress and area is dug up, it gets even deadlier which the case throughout the year near border especially in lights of 2018 deadline of border sealing.

Also remember the shift lasts for 8 hours and in cases of natural disasters its can go up to 24-30 hours and they do not get “Over time or Comp-off”.

Those who have been in Farakka, Dhuliyan, Sanjinipara and Ramakantpur understand the terrain and the carnage river ganga brings in flood and in line of duty our soldiers were standing tall. 

Border security force:

BSF is first line of Indian defence and hardly gets the spot light it deserves. It is the primary border guarding force of India. It is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of the Union of India; it was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1^st December 1965, “for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for matters connected there with”. It is a Central Armed Police Force charged with guarding India’s land border during peacetime and preventing transnational crime. It is a Union Government Agency under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs.

Its might surprise you the operations BSF participated in:

• Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
• Operation Blue Star
• Operation Black Thunder
• Counter Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
• Operation Vijay – Kargil War
• 2001 Bangladeshi-Indian Border skirmishes
• 2001-2002 Operation Prakarm – India-Pakistan Standoff
• 2013 India-Pakistan Border skirmishes
• 2014–15 India–Pakistan border skirmishes

Wagah Border Flag Lowering Ceremony

Every evening, at the Wagah border, which is the international border of India and Pakistan, the BSF together with the neighbouring country’s border guarding, the Pakistan Rangers conduct a military drill while lowering the respective national flags. This attracts a good number of spectators from both countries, as well as international tourists. Similar parades are being organised at Mahavir/Sadqi border near Fazilka and Hussainiwala/Gandasinghwala border near Firozpur.

BSF’s role during peacetime

• To promote sense of security among the people living in the border areas.
• To prevent trans-border crimes, unauthorised entry into or exit from the territory of India.
• To prevent smuggling and any other illegal activities on the Border.
• Anti-infiltration duties.
• To collect trans-border intelligence.

 BSF’s role during wartime

• Holding ground in assigned sectors.
• Limited aggressive action against irregular forces of enemy (Though in 1971 war, several instances of battle with regular Army of Pakistan are also there. In Hot War Scenario, one has to fight whoever is pitched against you, regular or irregular.)
• Maintenance of Law and Order in enemy territory administered under the Army’s control.
• Guarding of Prisoners of War camps.
• Acting as guides to the Army in border areas.
• Assistance in control of refugees.
• Provision of escorts.
• Performing special tasks connected with intelligences including raids.

These guardians of the border are often found in camouflage or Khakhee and it’s a humble request when you see them next time a salute or a handshake might send the message we want to send across.

Jai Hind !!