Centre approves three more SSB bomb detection squads

New Delhi, July 27 (IANs) The government has given approval to the creation of three more Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), an official said on Thursday.

The squads will be based in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, Bihar's Gaya and Chhattisgarh's Bhilai, the SSB official said, adding that each will comprise eight personnel headed by a Sub-Inspector.

The SSB -- mandated to guard the India-Bhutan and India-Nepal borders -- at present has three squads based in Assam's Bongaigaon and Rangia, and Bihar's Muzaffarpur.

"IED (Improvised Explosive Device) threat is the main challenge for forces deployed in Left Wing Extremist areas, the north-eastern states, and Jammu and Kashmir. These squads will help in mitigating and countering the threats effectively and enhance the SSB's operational efficacy," the official said.

Recently, SSB's bomb squads defused two IEDs planted by Maoists in Chhattisgarh to target security forces as well as one IED during Kanwar Mela in Haridwar.

SSB Director General Archana Ramasundaram expressed her happiness over the sanctioning of new squads and said these will be operationalised soon.

--IANS

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