‘India to completely seal border with Pakistan by 2018’

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the India-Pakistan border would be sealed by December 2018 for which a time-bound action plan will be prepared.

The Union home minister made the announcement after chairing a security review meeting of the four states bordering Pakistan.

‘The action plan will be frequently monitored at multiple levels to ensure we do not miss the deadline. It would be monitored not only by the security agencies but also the chief secretaries of the four states. A monitory framework would be prepared for monthly, quarterly and annual review of the implementation of the action plan,’ he said, while interacting with the media persons after the meeting, Times of India reported.

He said that besides the Army, the government will use technology for sealing patches on a difficult terrain.

Singh added that a new concept of a Border Security Grid will be formed with all stakeholders as its members.

‘The proposed security grid is a new concept, which needs to be given a final shape. The Centre will issue a notification about it later. All lapses will be monitored not just by the Army but even by chief secretaries of the various bordering states. Complaints will be adhered to in time,’ he added.

When asked about the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, he admitted that tensions between the two countries have increased. ‘The nation must have faith in its Army. Nation’s security will not be risked. Like a farmer protects his crops, our soldiers will protect the country,’ he said.

The meeting, chaired by Singh, was attended by Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gujarat’s minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja and Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Brij Raj Sharma.

Senior BSF officials were also present at the meeting which reviewed security arrangements on the border in the wake of tension between India and Pakistan after surgical strike by Army on terror camps across the Line of Control in PoK.