Punjab seeks increased BSF strength after Pathankot attack

The present BSF strength in the Punjab sector was inadequate, and the Punjab government wants the force strengthened in the state in view of the terror attack on the Indian Air Force base near Pathankot, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Sunday.

"The BSF strength is not adequate. Because this (Punjab) is a peaceful state, the strength is less. We need more strength (of the BSF), especially because this area is close to the border with Jammu and Kashmir.

"There have been two major incidents of infiltration in Punjab through the same sector," Badal pointed out.

This was the second major terror attack in Punjab in just over five months.

On July 27, 2015, terrorists from Pakistan launched a terror attack on Dinanagar town in Gurdaspur district, leaving seven people dead, including a police official.

Badal, who is also the state home minister, said Punjab Police will also have a "second line of defence" in the area to counter any terror threat in future.

"We will have a new police lines and a commando battalion in Pathankot for quick response. Also a SWAT (special weapons and tactics) quick response team will be stationed here," Badal said.

He said the Centre will be requested to make available better technology to prevent infiltration in the area.

"We want technology to be used, like lasers. We should use technology to prevent infiltration," Badal said.