(a) whether it is a fact that the Border Security Force (BSF) has opened a new hotline in Delhi to communicate with the Pakistan Rangers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether 12 BSF personnel had been killed along the 192 km international border in Jammu in the current year and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether it is also true that this was the highest death toll during the last five years; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) & (b): No Madam. However, the Senior Staff Officers of both the Forces interact telephonically on weekly basis to discuss local/border issues.
(c) to (e): Yes Madam. The details of BSF personnel martyred during the last five years on International Border of Jammu & Kashmir is as under:
Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 (upto 31.11.2018)
BSF Personnel Martyred 02 02 01 03 02 12
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L.S.US.Q NO. 1223 FOR 18.12.2018
The Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach which inter-alia includes round the clock surveillance and patrolling on the borders and establishment of observation post; increase in number of BSF personnel; construction of border fencing & floodlighting; introduction of modern and Hi-Tech surveillance equipments; upgradation of intelligence setup and enhanced coordination with the State Governments and concerned intelligence agencies.
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