‘Will expel every single infiltrator’: Amit Shah vows ‘smart borders’ along Pakistan, Bangladesh frontiers

Delivering an address at the BSF Investiture Ceremony, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday pushed for the Smart Border Project, insisting that the initiative would make the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders completely secure.

Shah maintained that there is an increased need to identify and remove "every single infiltrator and stop demographic change". "When we view border security as a matter of territorial responsibility rather than an isolated task, only then can we effectively tackle all the challenges before us," Shah said in the Friday address.

"Most importantly, we must recognise the dangers ahead. It is our responsibility to remain alert regarding illegal infiltration across our borders aimed at altering our demographic structure. We must also take concrete steps to address the impact of narcotics and fake currency on our economy," he said.

At the ceremony, the home minister also congratulated the all-women mountaineering team of the Border Security Force (BSF) for summiting Mount Everest. In a post, Shah said that "Nari Shakti proves BSF’s invincible might". The home minister added that, by celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of the force by conquering the world’s highest peak and singing Vande Mataram to the skies, they have set a rare example of grit, patriotism and dedication.

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Why it matters

Shah's remarks on border security came amid reports that he is likely to visit the border district of Bikaner on a two-day tour on May 25 and 26.

According to ANI, the police authorities are preparing for the visit, which is likely to happen in view of increasing incidents of cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones from Pakistan into the border sectors of Rajasthan's Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar.

Sources close to the matter told ANI that Shah is expected to inspect BSF outposts and review ongoing development works in the border regions.

The home minister is also likely to hold a high-level meeting with the Collectors and Superintendents of Police of Rajasthan’s five border districts — Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, Barmer and Hanumangarh — along with officials from various security and intelligence agencies.

With inputs from agencies.