After Pakistan Blast, BSF to Overhaul Security at Wagah Border

[Daedalus]

After the bomb blast at the Wagah Border in Pakistan that killed about 61 people and injured hundreds, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has beefed up security on the Indian side.

The BSF plans to procure spike barriers and bullet-proof sheets soon and put an emergency evacuation system in place at the border. The force has already deployed handheld thermal imagers.

Sources said the spike barriers, to be installed at the border gate, would prevent forceful vehicle entry from the Pakistani side. Once the vehicle crashes against the gate, the spike barriers underground would ascend burst the tyres.

“In any incident of firing from the other side, the bullet-proof sheet over the gate would prevent the gun fire from reaching the Indian side,’’ said an official.

Sources said the BSF is working on an emergency evacuation system, so that in case of an attack it is prepared with a prompt response and can escort visitors to safety in no time. BSF personnel and ambulances will also be deployed at designated spots. “At present an ambulance is on call, but no such system is in place,’’ said an official.

Sources said in addition to these measures, security is also being enhanced at the border with more personnel of the force and with more sophisticated weapons.

Sources said a 30-member SWAT team of the Punjab Police is also being deployed as another line of defence after the BSF personnel at the border. These officers will be stationed about two kilometres behind from the BSF road block. This will also serve as the point beyond which only authorized vehicles will be allowed entry.

The SWAT team specialises in unarmed combat, tactical training and hold-up situations and are equipped with the latest weapons. The Punjab Police formed the SWAT team in 2011 after regular threats from Khalistani militant groups in Pakistan.

BSF has deployed handheld thermal imagers at Wagah to track any suspicious movement. Besides this, more human resources and equipment such as CCTV cameras, metal detectors and luggage scanners will be used to keep vigil.

Speaking to The Sunday Standard, BSF Inspector General (Punjab frontier) Ashok Kumar said, “We are taking steps to enhances the security at the border and also coordinating with the state police for strengthening the system.”

Every evening at the Wagah Border, the BSF manages large crowds who flock at Attari to witness the retreat ceremony. It is hard for the BSF troops to keep a watch on the borders and marshal such huge crowds at the same time.

Day Tourism Plan On Hold

The proposed day tourism to be started by the BSF from November 10 at the Attari Border to ease the pressure of tourists during the daily Beating the Retreat ceremony has been put on hold after the blast. BSF DIG RPS Jaswal said, “The proposal of day tourism has been put on hold as of now. Also the entry limit for Beating the Retreat ceremony has been restricted to 7,000 people. Those left outside will be able to watch the ceremony on LED screens put outside the venue.’’

Under Day Tourism, tourists were to be allowed to visit the border from 11am to 3pm, a period when they could see the India-Pakistan gates, border pillar and the parade area. At present, the border area opens for tourists at 4pm for the Retreat ceremony. The move was aimed at curtailing the rush at the Retreat ceremony as the BSF was facing problems controlling the large crowds.

After Pakistan Blast, BSF to Overhaul Security at Wagah Border -The New Indian Express

 

[Abingdonboy]

View attachment 153271

After the bomb blast at the Wagah Border in Pakistan that killed about 61 people and injured hundreds, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has beefed up security on the Indian side.

The BSF plans to procure spike barriers and bullet-proof sheets soon and put an emergency evacuation system in place at the border. The force has already deployed handheld thermal imagers.

Sources said the spike barriers, to be installed at the border gate, would prevent forceful vehicle entry from the Pakistani side. Once the vehicle crashes against the gate, the spike barriers underground would ascend burst the tyres.

“In any incident of firing from the other side, the bullet-proof sheet over the gate would prevent the gun fire from reaching the Indian side,’’ said an official.

Sources said the BSF is working on an emergency evacuation system, so that in case of an attack it is prepared with a prompt response and can escort visitors to safety in no time. BSF personnel and ambulances will also be deployed at designated spots. “At present an ambulance is on call, but no such system is in place,’’ said an official.

Sources said in addition to these measures, security is also being enhanced at the border with more personnel of the force and with more sophisticated weapons.

Sources said a 30-member SWAT team of the Punjab Police is also being deployed as another line of defence after the BSF personnel at the border. These officers will be stationed about two kilometres behind from the BSF road block. This will also serve as the point beyond which only authorized vehicles will be allowed entry.

The SWAT team specialises in unarmed combat, tactical training and hold-up situations and are equipped with the latest weapons. The Punjab Police formed the SWAT team in 2011 after regular threats from Khalistani militant groups in Pakistan.

BSF has deployed handheld thermal imagers at Wagah to track any suspicious movement. Besides this, more human resources and equipment such as CCTV cameras, metal detectors and luggage scanners will be used to keep vigil.

Speaking to The Sunday Standard, BSF Inspector General (Punjab frontier) Ashok Kumar said, “We are taking steps to enhances the security at the border and also coordinating with the state police for strengthening the system.”

Every evening at the Wagah Border, the BSF manages large crowds who flock at Attari to witness the retreat ceremony. It is hard for the BSF troops to keep a watch on the borders and marshal such huge crowds at the same time.

Day Tourism Plan On Hold

The proposed day tourism to be started by the BSF from November 10 at the Attari Border to ease the pressure of tourists during the daily Beating the Retreat ceremony has been put on hold after the blast. BSF DIG RPS Jaswal said, “The proposal of day tourism has been put on hold as of now. Also the entry limit for Beating the Retreat ceremony has been restricted to 7,000 people. Those left outside will be able to watch the ceremony on LED screens put outside the venue.’’

Under Day Tourism, tourists were to be allowed to visit the border from 11am to 3pm, a period when they could see the India-Pakistan gates, border pillar and the parade area. At present, the border area opens for tourists at 4pm for the Retreat ceremony. The move was aimed at curtailing the rush at the Retreat ceremony as the BSF was facing problems controlling the large crowds.

After Pakistan Blast, BSF to Overhaul Security at Wagah Border -The New Indian Express

Good stuff- the Indian security forces need to take every necessary precaution as it seems these nut jobs now have their sights set on the Wagah border now.