Following the recent standoff between Indian and Chinese forces at Doklam, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Wednesday said it is “more alert”, is enhancing its strength and establishing new border posts in Sikkim along the Bhutan frontier.
“We are (deployed) just below the tri-junction (India-Bhutan-Tibet), on the southern part of it,” SSB Director General (DG) Rajni Kant Mishra told reporters here on the occasion of the forces’ 54th Raising Day in the national Capital.
“On the Bhutan border, in Sikkim, we are more alert and there is going to be a slightly increased strength on that border. We are going to get some BoPs (border outposts) and a battalion headquarter is also coming up there,” Mishra said.
He said the role of the paramilitary force — tasked with guarding the 699 km-long open border with Bhutan — is only “restricted” up to the Bhutan frontier and Doklam was along the India-China border which is the mandate of other security forces.
He said the SSB has acquired two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of Netra II version and is in the process of acquiring two Laser-Based Explosive-cum-Narcotic Detectors this year. A multi-purpose boardroom has also been established at the SSB headquarters through advanced video conferencing facilities. For safe movement of troops, it has acquired seven mine protected vehicles, 15 Light Armed Troop Carriers and 12 Bullet Proof Vehicles. Besides, 114 numbers of “smart plus” equipments, 92 numbers of Radio set and two Ku-Band VSAT from BSNL will soon be procured, go a long way in strengthening existing robust communication network.
Mishra added the location and land for the new BoP that will come up in Yuksom in Sikkim was cleared by the government in the past and this should not be seen as a development coming in the aftermath of the Doklam standoff.