Accompanied by Additional Director General Ravi Gandhi and Inspector General Maninder PS Pawar, Chawdhary assessed the force’s tactical and operational readiness at critical locations, it is learnt.
He visited the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Petrapole and the sensitive Ranaghat border outpost. At Petrapole, Chawdhary inspected the passenger and cargo terminals, “gaining firsthand insights on the operational challenges faced by troops”.
He was briefed on the battalion’s procedures by its commanding officer and the newly constructed ICP building.
Later, the DG held a meeting with BSF officers at the Ranaghat border outpost to discuss the prevailing situation in Bangladesh and strategise counter-measures against infiltration and smuggling.
Emphasising heightened vigilance, he directed the troops to implement effective measures to address these challenges.
Addressing the BSF personnel at a Sainik Sammelan, Chawdhary underscored the importance of maintaining a high level of preparedness given the complex situation in Bangladesh. He urged the officers and jawans to remain alert and prepared to respond to any threats.
The officers of the BSF’s 8th Battalion and 107th Battalion of South Bengal Frontier held a coordination meeting with the officials of West Bengal government and people of border villages. A meeting was also held at the Bornberia border outpost.
The 107th Battalion held border coordination meetings with villagers at the border outposts of Uttarpara and Mustafapur.
The villagers were advised not to move freely in the border areas and on the International Border Road (IBBR) during night. It was also decided that all shops in the markets should be closed by 9 pm and announcements will be made from mosques that villagers should stay away from the border areas. The farmers were instructed to use the gates only for essential work and were assured of immediate assistance from the BSF.
The key issues discussed in the meeting included the management of tall crops and problem of jute dumping by civilians near the border, civilian movement on border roads after curfew and land acquisition for fencing in unfenced areas.
Click here to join The Indian Express on WhatsApp and get latest news and updates