(a) whether the Government are aware that Pakistani infiltrators have damaged the huge portion of fencing at J&K border and the other States are preventing further the work of border fencing;
(b) if so, the facts and details in this regard;
(c) whether the fencing work along the Pak border to check infiltration has been badly affected in the last few months;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken to complete the border fencing within the target period?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 689 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 14TH MAY,2002.
(a) to (e): Several attempts have been made by Pakistan to disrupt and damage the fencing work being undertaken on Jammu International Border. In some of these incidents, Pak intruders damaged small portions of fencing/angle iron pickets by using explosive devices. Pak forces are also resorting to intermittent firing on BSF troops employed on the task of construction/guarding of the fence. As a result, progress of fencing work in Jammu sector has been slow.
A few minor incidents of fence cutting by infiltrators in Punjab and Rajasthan have also come to notice. However, no major damage to the border fencing was done on any of these occasions and repairs to the fencing was carried out immediately by the Border Security Force.
Government has taken several steps including augmentation of troops at Border Outposts, laying additional ambushes, use of Night Vision Devices, undertaking mobile patrolling, laying of depth nakas by Police and Village Defence Committees etc. to ensure erection and safeguarding of fencing.