Gujarat: HM Amit Shah hails BSF as 'First Line of Defence'; honours 2,000 martyrs
Bhuj, May 29
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said more than 2,000 Border Security Force personnel had made the "supreme sacrifice" in the line of duty over the past six decades, as he praised the force for guarding some of India's most difficult frontiers under extreme weather and terrain conditions.
Addressing BSF jawans during an interaction at Border Outpost G-7 in Bhuj, Shah said the force had successfully protected both the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders since its establishment in 1965-66.
"From its establishment till now, for 60 years, from 1966 to 2026, the BSF has shouldered the responsibility of securing two of the most difficult borders.. one with Pakistan and the other with Bangladesh," Shah said.
He said BSF personnel serve in conditions ranging from "minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees", including the marshlands of Sir Creek and Harami Nala in Gujarat, the deserts of Rajasthan, the snowy regions of Kashmir and the forested terrain of the Northeast and Sundarbans.
"Somewhere there is the inaccessible desert of Kutch, the marshy land of Sir Creek and Harami Nala, somewhere in the sand dunes of Rajasthan you have to work in temperatures touching 50 degrees," he said.
Referring to a recent visit to the Rajasthan border, Shah said temperatures at the Sanchu border post had reached 46 degrees when he arrived, while desert temperatures often crossed 50 degrees.
He said the BSF had performed its role as the country's "First Line of Defence" with distinction across all terrains for six decades. "And for this, 2,000 jawans have made the supreme sacrifice," Shah said.
The Home Minister said the people of the country held "deep gratitude, respect and reverence" for the force and slept peacefully because of the work carried out by BSF personnel.
Shah also referred to a public outreach centre established in Banaskantha district of Gujarat to familiarise civilians with the work of the BSF.
He said the centre, built at a cost of around Rs 200 crore, was receiving more than 2.5 lakh visitors every month.
According to Shah, many visitors, including mothers, had written in feedback forms expressing pride in the possibility of their children joining the BSF in future because of the force's service to the country.
The Home Minister was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka and BSF Director General Praveen Kumar during the visit.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Shah ji mentioned temperatures from -45 to +50 degrees... that's insane dedication. As a human being, I can't even imagine standing in 46 degrees for a few minutes, forget patrolling for hours. Salute to every jawan. 🙏
While I appreciate the sentiment, I wish we also talked more about improving working conditions for BSF personnel beyond just praising them. Many border posts still lack basic amenities like clean water and proper medical facilities. Heroes deserve better infrastructure. 🤔
As an American living in Delhi for work, I'm always amazed by the dedication of Indian security forces. The extreme conditions they work in - from the Sundarbans to the Himalayas - is something many of us can't comprehend. The 2,000 figure really puts things into perspective. Respect from Colorado.
The public outreach centre getting 2.5 lakh visitors per month is a great step. Makes me want to visit Gujarat and see it myself. Our young generation needs to understand that being in the BSF is not just a job, it's a calling. Those mothers writing feedback about their children joining shows real trust in the force.
My father was a BSF jawan who retired in 2005. He used to tell us stories about the Sir Creek area - those marshy lands are no joke. The mosquitoes alone would make most people run away. That these men and women stay there for decades is nothing short of patriotism in action. Jai BSF! 💪
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