Srinagar, Nov 21 (KNO): Asserting that strong action and targeted strikes compelled Pakistan to announce a unilateral ceasefire in May this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said ‘Operation Sindoor’ sent a clear message that any challenge to India’s borders will be met with a decisive response.
Addressing the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Border Security Force (BSF) at Bhuj in Gujarat, Shah, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “The brave BSF personnel have discharged the responsibility of being the first responders with extraordinary valour, skill and many even making the supreme sacrifice of their lives.”
Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, Shah said, “Pakistan sponsored terrorists carried out a cowardly attack on our tourists in Pahalgam. The attack was avenged through 'Operation Sindoor.”
He said, “We gave only a limited response, yet Pakistan treated the strike on the terrorists as an attack on itself. The moment the Pakistani Army came into action, BSF jawans gave them a befitting and resounding reply.”
“Within just a few days, due to the valour and bravery of the BSF, Army, and Indian Airforce, Pakistan was forced to announce a unilateral ceasefire. A clear message has gone out to the entire world that no one should dare tamper with India's borders or challenge India's security forces otherwise they will have to face the consequences,” Shah added.
“During Operation Sindoor our forces destroyed nine key locations of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba, including their headquarters, training camps, and launch pads,” he said, adding, “The objective of this operation was the complete elimination of terrorism, the safety of our citizens, and the security of border areas.”
Praising BSF for its dedication, Shah said, “Not just the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, but the entire nation salutes their bravery. All of us have unwavering faith in the strength and competence of BSF jawans. Country sleeps peacefully because of their unbreakable resolve to protect us,” Shah said.
The Home Minister said, “Till date 2013 BSF soldiers have laid down their lives to ensure that the country's borders remain inviolable and secure.”
Shah said that ever since establishment of the Border Security Force (BSF) on December1, 1965, the paramilitary force has successfully scaled every pinnacle of excellence.
He stated that among all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the BSF is the only force dedicated to guarding the nation on land, water, and air frontiers. “Whether it is our air borders, the most inaccessible land borders, or water borders amidst countless obstacles, BSF personnel remain deployed on all three,” Shah said.
He said that the courage and skill with which BSF jawans have adapted to these diverse challenges and the harshest forces of nature to secure India’s borders is truly commendable.
“On water, land, and sky, the BSF has always had only one goal i.e. the security of India,” Shah added.
He expressed pride that today, with the strength of 193 battalions and over 2.76 lakh personnel, the BSF is fully protecting and monitoring the entire 2,279 km border with Pakistan and the 4,096 km border with Bangladesh.
He also said that the coming year will be fully dedicated to the complete modernization of the BSF, and the year after that will be entirely devoted to the welfare of our brave jawans and their families.
“During this period, the BSF and the Ministry of Home Affairs will launch numerous schemes and take concrete steps toward the welfare of the personnel and their families,” Shah said.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has resolved to transform the BSF into the world’s most modern and most capable border security force within the next five years.
Shah added that many new initiatives will be rolled out in the coming days. “I assure the families of jawans posted in difficult conditions along the borders that in PM Modi’s rule no stone will be left unturned for their welfare,” he said.
HAILS BSF FOR PLAYING VITAL ROLE IN ANTI-NARCOTICS OPERATIONS
He said that the BSF has launched numerous operations against the infiltration of narcotics into the country and achieved tremendous success.
The Union Home Minister said that BSF has seized more than 18,000 kilograms of drugs so far in 2025—this is a historic achievement.
He said that the BSF remains fully engaged in preventing infiltration along all our borders. Preventing infiltration is not only essential for the country’s security but also crucial to protect our democratic system from being polluted.
"In the coming days, we are bringing the new revolutionary concept of ‘e-Border Security’. The BSF has the biggest role in implementing this concept on the ground, and the initial initiative has also been taken by the BSF itself. Every possible effort will be made to fully roll it out on the ground within the next one year, and I am fully confident that within the next five years, the entire land border of our country will be securely covered under this e-security shield," he added.
ONLY INDIANS WILL DECIDE WHO WILL BECOME CM AND PM
He said, “Unfortunately, some political parties are actively trying to weaken the ‘Ghuspaithiya Hataao’ campaign. These parties are opposing the voter list purification process being carried out by the Election Commission under the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) exercise.”
He declared with firm resolve that it is our pledge that we will identify and deport every single infiltrator from this country, one by one.
The Home Minister said that in this country, only Indian citizens will decide who the Chief Minister of any state becomes or who becomes the Prime Minister of India. No infiltrator has the right to pollute our democratic system or influence our democratic decisions.
The Union Home Minister said that in the past few years, we have rapidly strengthened and made the border fencing impenetrable. Most of the trials related to fencing have now been completed—(KNO)