Coronavirus kills 2 BSF, 1 CISF personnel; CAPFs nearly have 500 active cases now

Two Border Security Force personnel and a CISF official succumbed to the COVID-19 infection as active positive cases of the pandemic in various paramilitary forces neared 500, officials said on Thursday.

These are the first coronavirus fatalities in these two paramilitary forces.

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) -- comprising the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Sashastra Seema Bal -- reported about 90 fresh cases on Thursday.

A 55-year-old sub-inspector of the CRPF had succumbed to the disease last month, and the three latest fatalities take to four the total number of deaths in CAPFs due to COVID-19.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the deaths. "Deeply pained to know about the loss of our two brave BSF soldiers, who were battling COVID-19," he said on Twitter. "I join millions of Indians in mourning their untimely demise."
Offering his condolences to the bereaved families, Shah said "may God give them strength to withstand this tragic loss."