Sukhbir Badal visits BOP Khalra sector

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the state is equipped to take head on any "Pakistan sponsored" terrorist activity, adding, any attempt to destabilize peace in the state would not be tolerated.
"The state is equipped to take any Pak-sponsored terrorist activity head on," Badal said while addressing a public meeting here.
He also interacted with farmers across the barbed wire fence as he visited Border Out Post (BOP) 132 Khalra sector here.
Forgoing his security detail and bulletproof vehicle, Deputy CM was driven to the barbed wire fence by Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and he crossed it to interact with farmers ploughing their fields adjacent to Pakistan territory.

The Deputy CM was also briefed about the security arrangements at the border by BSF IG M F Farooqi.
The officer claimed that Pakistan soldiers and smugglers often came up to the fence to throw contraband material or even dig tunnels to smuggle drugs into Punjab.

Badal said he understood the BSF was stretched as one guard had to look after an area of 300 meters each.
Badal suggested that CCTV cameras and sensors should be installed adjoining the barbed fencing to guard against smuggling and terrorist activity.
While addressing people near the barbed fence, the Deputy CM said he had not come to talk politics. "I am here to assure you that the Punjab government is committed to maintaining peace on the border. Any attempt to destabilise this hard won peace will not be tolerated", he added.

Badal also disclosed that the government had taken a decision to increase police force in the border areas.
Speaking on the occasion, DGP Saini said Deputy CM had personally monitored the entire Dinanagar operation to neutralise terrorists.
"The Deputy CM even asked whether men engaged in the fire fight with terrorists were being supplied food or not", he added.
Saini also said the idea of increasing security presence in the border belt was not only aimed at providing security but also aimed at giving a sense of security to the people.