Border Security Force 'BSF' Marks its 54th Raising Day on 1st December: History

Border Security Force 'BSF' Marks its 54th Raising Day on 1st December: Details, Aim, Significance, Functions, History

The Border Security Force, BSF, the sentinels of Indian borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh is celebrating its 54th Raising Day on 1st December 2018. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju attended the main ceremony at Chhawla Camp in New Delhi.

The Border Security Force (BSF) was established on 1st December 1965 just after the Indo-Pakistan War fought in the year 1965.

BSF is the primary force guarding the borders of India. It is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces. The force guards the land borders of India and helps prevent any kind of international/transnational raids.

BSF functions under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs and has its headquarters in New Delhi. The headquarters is called the Force Head Quarters (FHQ). The head of BSF is a Director General. K. F. Rustamji was the first Director General of the Border Security Force.

At present, BSF stands as the largest border guarding force. It has 186 battalions now with a sanctioned strength of more than 257,363 personnel including expanding air wing, marine wing, artillery regiments, and commando units.

BSF is majorly used to guard the land borders and matters connected to it. The force restricts unauthorized entry into and exits from the country. A part of the force is also given the responsibility to collect trans-border intelligence.

BSF effectively played a key role in following counters that include:

Indo- Pakistani war in 1971

Operation Blue Star in 1984

Counter-insurgency of Jammu and Kashmir in 1989

Operation Vijay- Kargil war of 1999

Operation Parakram in 2001-2002

BSF also successfully handled various combats in the borders involving fighting against Pakistan Rangers and Bangladesh Rifles.

BSF is deployed on Indo-Pakistan International Border, Indo-Bangladesh International Border, Line of Control (LoC) along with the Indian Army and also in Anti-Naxal Operations.