About Border Security Force:
- It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CSPFs) of the Union of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1 December 1965.
- Mandate: It is meant to secure India’s borders with its neighbouring nations and is empowered to arrest, search and seize under several laws.
- Currently, BSF is deployed at the Indo-Pakistan International Border, the Indo-Bangladesh International Border, and Line of Control (LoC) along with the Indian Army, and in Anti-Naxal Operations.
- Role:
- The primary role of BSF is to protect the country’s land borders during peacetime and prevent transnational crime.
- They help the Indian Army during wartime as they are familiar with local people and topography.
- Motto: The motto of BSF, “DUTY UNTO DEATH” is placed at the bottom.
- It has a separate camel and dog wing that lets them expand their reach into varied terrain such as the India-Pakistan border in the Rann of Kutch.
- BSF is the only CAPF to have its own Air Wing, Marine Wing, and artillery regiments, which support the General Duty Battalions in their operations.
- Powers: It has been given powers of arrest, search, and seizure under various Acts. “These Acts include Passport Act 1967, Passport Act (Entry into India) 1920, Customs Act, NDPS Act and Arms Act.
- The head of the BSF is known as the Director General (DG), and he should be an officer from Indian Police Services (IPS).
