'Laser wall' activated along Indo-Pak border
India has activated the "laser wall" along the Indo-Pak border to prevent cross-border infiltration from Pakistan into Indian territory. According to the Border Security Force (BSF), 8 infrared and laser beam intrusion detection systems have started functioning along the porous treacherous and riverine tracts along the international border in Punjab. The laser walls will be monitored by BSF which guards the Indo-Pak border.
The BSF mans the 3,323 km long Indo-Pak along the 4 states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. It is also deployed in West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam. Raised in 1965, BSF functions as a paramilitary force under the Home Ministry. It is the world's largest border guarding force and has been termed as First Wall of Defence of Indian Territories.
The laser wall is a mechanism that detects objects passing across the line of sight between a laser source and a detector, and sets off the alarm if it's breached. The laser walls are equipped with night and fog operability tools to ensure functioning in low visibility conditions. The laser sensors are connected through satellite-based signal command system to ensure remote monitoring.
The Indo-Pak border had been fenced using barbed wire to check infiltration from the Pakistani side. However, there are treacherous areas and riverine tracts which could not be fenced. Hence, for such areas BSF had decided to install laser fencing 2 years ago. There are 45 such vulnerable spots along the Indo-Pak border in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir where it will be installed.
During the Pathankot attack, the terrorists had used one of the riverine tract located 5 km downstream of Bamiyal near Tash border outpost in Punjab to enter the Indian territory. The riverine tract is not covered with normal barbed wire fencing and also did not have laser wall. The BSF plans to completely eliminate the breach of international border (IB) using laser walls.
After the Pathankot attack, BSF also plans to increase its deployment along the Indo-Pak border. It will deploy an additional battalion (1000 men) in Punjab sector to check infiltration.
