In a novel proposal of its kind, Border Security Force (BSF) has invited its Bangladeshi counterpart to patrol the border from its territory even as it has decided to introduce a fresh lot of non-lethal weapons on this frontier as part of new measures to bring down civilian and security forces casualties.
Concerned over the menace of illegal crossings and cattle smuggling which has led to the death and serious injuries to its bordermen and local population, the BSF discussed these initiatives with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) during the recent Director General (DG) level talks in Dhaka last month, reports PTI.
“We have proposed to the BGB to send their team to patrol with our boys on our side and see the facts on ground. We have noting to hide. The illegal crossings and activities that occur in the dead of night are a challenge for us.
The challenge is tough and we are committed to maintaining the sanctity of this border and hence we have gone the extra mile in suggesting such a step,” BSF chief Subhash Joshi told PTI.
Joshi, who led the delegation for the bi-annual talks, said it has been decided to introduce more non-lethal weapons and pump action guns on this border to reduce the casualities.
“It is a difficult situation when we decide to arm our men with non-lethal weapons…we have taken a lot of hits.
Three dozen of our troopers have been injured as they were attacked by smugglers in the recent past.
But we are committed to reducing casualities on the Bangla border and hence more such weapons are being sent there,” the Director General of the second largest paramilitary force of the country said.
“We have also decided to work for better procedures for use of the non-lethal weapons,” he said.
Source: UNBConnect