Preparations for over 17,000 recruitments in BSF, 16 new battalions to be formed; Government plans amid tension with Pakistan

Against the backdrop of preparations for defense in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the government is shortly going to accord the go-ahead for the Border Security Force (BSF) to create 16 fresh battalions of around 17 thousand soldiers and create a couple of fresh field headquarters.

It is already given in-principle clearance by the government. BSF is mandated for securing the border with Pakistan as well as that with Bangladesh. Official sources have stated that some of the last clearances, including from the Finance Ministry, are awaited for constituting these battalions, which could be issued soon.

Once they receive clearance, BSF will begin recruiting men and women for these battalions, then they will be trained. So five or six years can be estimated for creating these battalions. Currently, BSF operates 193 battalions for defending both the borders, and in one battalion there are over a thousand soldiers.

Sources said that the Union Home Ministry has also approved two field headquarters of BSF. One of these will be established in Jammu to increase security on the international border with Pakistan in Jammu and Punjab, while the other will be established in Mizoram to increase vigilance on the border with Bangladesh.

According to officials, BSF, which has 2.7 lakh personnel, had sent a proposal to the Home Ministry a few years ago to form 20-21 new battalions in view of increasing challenges and rapidly changing security scenario. The government has finally agreed to form 16 new battalions.