SSB to be posted in J&K for internal security service

About 8,000-10,000 men will initially be deployed for internal security related job in Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhary, who took over the reins of the border guarding force as Director General a week back, said.

"We are ready to go in Jammu and Kashmir. This will be a new work in the next year, when we send 8-10 battalions (8,000-10,000 personnel) to theses areas. We will work with CRPF and BSF there and extend internal security related duties," he said during an annual press conference here.

The DG said the proposal has been "more or less" approved by the Home Ministry and the force is likely to be deployed in Jammu and Kashmir by February.

Chaudhary also said the force will soon have a water-wing for patrolling the Indo-Nepal border. "In this financial year, we will be categorising the rivers. Rivers which basically have perennial water supply through out the year. So they will get the preference as far as patrolling is concerned. Then the priority will go to dry nallahs and other water resources which do not have sufficient water during the year.

"This year we will ensure that at least two places like East and West Champaran (Bihar) and other places where you have broad river length, is covered for patrolling," he said.

The SSB guards 1,751 km Indo-Nepal and 699 km Indo-Bhutan borders.

There are large water bodies like rivers Kali, Sharda, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi, Mechi running across and along the Indo-Nepal border.

Monitoring the movement through these water bodies become more difficult during rainy season and they become susceptible for exploitation by anti-national elements. The water-wing, which will be equipped with high speed boats, water scooters, inflatable boats, among others, will ensure effective patrolling, the SSB chief said. (More)