New Delhi: The Border Security Force (BSF) seized contraband worth Rs. 461.07 crore in 2024 during anti-smuggling operations along the India-Bangladesh border, marking the highest confiscation in the last decade, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, in response to a parliamentary query, highlighted the BSF’s multi-pronged strategy to combat smuggling.
This includes 24/7 surveillance, intensified patrolling, and the establishment of observation posts.
According to official data, BSF seizures along the Indo-Bangladesh border since 2015 amount to Rs. 2,806.17 crore, with 2024’s figure of Rs. 461.07 crore standing out as a record for the period.
“BSF troops maintain round-the-clock dominance along the Indo-Bangladesh border to thwart trans-border smuggling activities,” Rai stated.
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The minister outlined steps taken by the BSF to strengthen border security, including increased personnel deployment, construction of border fencing, installation of floodlights, and establishment of Border Out Posts (BOPs) to secure riverine areas.
Advanced technology has played a significant role in these efforts. The BSF employs equipment such as Hand-Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI), Night Vision Devices (NVD), Twin Telescopes, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Additionally, intelligence-gathering capabilities have been upgraded, and coordination with state governments and intelligence agencies has been enhanced to curb cross-border smuggling effectively.
