the Border Security Force (BSF), world’s largest border guarding Force, is completing 56 years of its dedicated, distinguished and glorious service to the Nation on December 1, 2020.

 

Giving account of its anti-Naxal operations in Command HQ Special Operations Frontiers, Chhattisgarh/Odisha, at a press conference ADG S L Thaosen Commander HQ Special Operations Frontiers Chhattisgarh/Odisha, informed that it has killed altogether 20 Maoists (14 in Chhattisgarh and six in Odisha), apprehended 1702 Maoists (1099 in Chhattisgarh and 603 in Odisha) and made 883 Maoists to surrender (89 in Chhattisgarh and 794 in Odisha).

 

Giving details about the induction of BSF in Left Wing Extremism areas, ADG SL Thaosen said BSF was deployed in district of Kanker in Chhattisgarh in December, 2009 - Jan, 2010 and in Koraput and Malkangiri districts of Odisha in 2010 to deal with Maoist violence on tri-junction of the then worst affected states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Subsequently in 2013, few more battalions were sent to Odisha for undertaking Anti-Naxal operations in coordination with State Police in Nabarangpur, Koraput and Rayagada districts. As on date there are two Frontiers (Chhattisgarh and Odisha), Four Sectors (Bhilai, Durg, Koraput and Malkangiri) operating under Command HQ (Special Ops).

 

During the course of its anti-Naxal operations till November 2020, it has recovered 778 IEDs (437 in Chhattisgarh and 339 in Odisha), 2813 Kg explosives (338 Kg in Chhattisgarh and 2475 Kg in Odisha), 7467 detonators (337 in Chhattisgarh and 7130 in Odisha) and Weapons total 1495 including 623 (539 SBML) in Chhattisgarh and 872 (753 SBML) in Odisha (SBML stands for Single Barrel Muzzle Loading guns).

 

Giving details about the major steps taken by Special Ops Frontiers (Chhattisgarh/Odisha), ADG S L Thaosen said BSF has identified the areas where LWE (Left Wing Extremism) movement has been frequent and without any hindrance. These areas were safe haven for the LWE. Now, BSF has penetrated into these areas after increasing dominations and specialised operations. BSF has established presence and domination in cut-off areas where no government organisations have ever reached.

 

During the period certain new Company Operating Base (COB) in difficult and Maoist infested areas has been occupied by BSF after review of the situation in states. Small Action Team under the Command of a Gazetted Officer already formed at COBs/Battalion level and Quick Response Teams at each COBs are launching operations on actionable inputs in collaboration with the State Police. The mobility of teams comes from Motorcycles, which moves cross country. The teams equipped with all required weapons have proved very effective and have succeeded to instill fear among Maoists rank and files.

 

Under its Civic Action Programme (CAP) for the financial year 2019-20, funds allotted in respect of LWE affected Frontiers are Rs 1,44,00,000 for Chhattisgarh frontier and Rs. 1,44,00,000 for Odisha frontier. Under CAP, Units have organised medical camps, distributed seeds, fertilisers, cloths, sports items, utensil items, footwear, mats/dari, trousers, stationary items and school bags. BSF also installed Solar panels, Hand Pump, water tanks etc. It also carried out handicraft development activities.

 

ADG S L Thaosen further informed that under the 12th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme (TYEP) 2019-20 - Chhattisgarh – 150 participants of district Kanker visited New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Lucknow, Amritsar and Chandigarh from Nov-2019 to Feb 2020.