India revamps defence infra at IB in J&K

Indian security agencies have carried out a major defence infrastructure revamp including creation of ramps for army tanks and strengthening of BSF bunkers along the International Border with Pakistan since the two sides announced a military ceasefire in 2021 officials saidThe first phase of the infrastructure renovation and creation of some new ones has been recently completed on a stretch of 26 kilometres along the front in Jammu while another 33 kilometres in the same region is being carried out official sources told PTIJammu shares a 192 kmlong front of the total 2289 kilometres of the India Pakistan IB before it runs down towards Gujarat and Rajasthan on the countrys western flankThe Line of Control LoC between the two neighbours falls majorly in Kashmir and it is about 772 kilometres longThe defence infrastructure work that has been undertaken includes creation and revamp of multiple DCBs ditchcumbandhs maintenance of damaged border fence creation of ramps for movement of army tanks to the forward areas upgrade of Border Security Force morchas troop posts bunkers and locations for installation of surveillance and other protection mechanism officials saidThe work is being undertaken through the funds received from the Union Home ministry they saidOfficials said these works were initiated and the first phase was completed on 26 kms after India and Pakistan renewed their ceasefire agreement along the front in Jammu and Kashmir on February 20 2021The other side too is undertaking similar works and both sides keep each other informed in case a major work is undertaken near the fence a senior BSF officer saidBarring a few violations like when Pakistan breached the agreement and opened unprovoked fire in Jammu on September 6Last years ceasefire agreement is holding well officials saidThe ceasefire breach took place when the Indian side was undertaking some maintenance work in the Arnia sector of JammuA flag meeting was later held between the BSF and Pak Rangers and it was decided to uphold the ceasefireThe silence of the guns is allowing peace to prevail along the IB and border residents and farmers are able to do their normal work uninterrupted and without fearing about flying mortar shells and indiscriminate gunfire undertaken by the other side regularly before February 20 2021 officials saidWork is also being undertaken to level the kuttcha or mud tracks that are used by BSF troop carrier vehicles to reach border posts in Jammu region At many places the levelling work on these approach routes has been completed officials saidA similar work has been undertaken by the BSF along the Line of Control LoC in Kashmir region where it is converting the bunkers for its troops at 115 forward defence locations FDLs from the present CGI corrugated galvanised iron to solar powered compartments made of steelThe 772 kilometrelong LoC is guarded by the Army and the BSF is deployed in about 435 kms of this front under its operational commandThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever