New order for unit change from borders creates flutter in BSF

The BSF headquarters here, for the first time in the history of the 48-year-old paramilitary force, has ordered a percentage based changeover of battalions from its frontiers located along Pakistan and Bangladesh and other formations in the country.

According to the new proposal, half of the personnel of a battalion deployed in 'Extra Hard' areas (border formations) will now be transferred annually, changing from the earlier mode of replacing the entire battalion with a new one.

The order has made field commanders wary as the concept to replace a full battalion was made in order to ensure the cohesiveness, character and fighting capabilities of the unit intact in times of peace and war.

"This will change the character of the force forever. In times of war or aggression, half of the force personnel would be trying to understand the habits, traits and intelligence of the other half which is crucial for a dare devil strike," a senior BSF officer commanding a forward unit along Pakistan said requesting anonymity.

The BSF order also highlights the cohesiveness factor as it says that the existing system had advantages of "regimentation and close kinship" in the early years of the raising of the force.

It, however, says the new system is being introduced as the "social fabric" has changed in present times and "stress factor" among troops need to be reduced.

"The BSF works shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army at the Pakistan border. The BSF would be the first to bear the onslaught of the enemy in case of an aggression. In a war scenario, how one trooper would have camaraderie with the other who has just joined the unit? In forces, wars are won by the name of Paltan (unit) and the unity of the Paltan is the most important," another BSF officer said. (More)