<p>The Union ministry of home affairs has set up a committee that has been mandated to physically inspect the border fencing all along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab to look for vulnerable spots. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Punjab government has received communication in this regard. The Union government's decision to this effect was taken in wake of the recent Fidayeen attacks at Dinanagar in Gurdaspur and Pathankot air force base. Both attacks took place within a gap of less than 6 months. <br /><br />The terror strikes exposed Punjab border’s vulnerability and how this porous border zone was fast turning into a new theatre for Pakistan-sponsored terror. <br /><br />The committee will identify gaps and suggest methods to seal the loopholes. The committee will submit a status report within the next three months. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has more than once written to the Centre to intensify vigil on the international border in Punjab and adjoining areas of Jammu and Kashmir given the increasing vulnerability of the Punjab border. <br /><br />The committee has been formulated as an independent body under the chairmanship of former home secretary Madhukar Gupta. Deputy national security advisor (NSA) Dr Arvind Gupta in the communication said Deputy NSA, Director IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee, surveyor general of India and a representative from the state government, not below the rank of IG, would be members of the committee.<br /><br /> The committee will physically inspect the condition of border fencing along India-Pakistan border. <br /><br />Since the committee is to be an independent body, it has been decided to form the committee under the national security council secretariat, Gupta said. The Punjab government has often cribbed about inadequate BSF presence on its 553-km border fence with Pakistan. <br /><br />This border zone is notorious for drug smuggling; however, the government pressed the panic button following repeated terror strikes on strategic military and police establishments within its bounds.</p>
<p>The Union ministry of home affairs has set up a committee that has been mandated to physically inspect the border fencing all along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab to look for vulnerable spots. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Punjab government has received communication in this regard. The Union government's decision to this effect was taken in wake of the recent Fidayeen attacks at Dinanagar in Gurdaspur and Pathankot air force base. Both attacks took place within a gap of less than 6 months. <br /><br />The terror strikes exposed Punjab border’s vulnerability and how this porous border zone was fast turning into a new theatre for Pakistan-sponsored terror. <br /><br />The committee will identify gaps and suggest methods to seal the loopholes. The committee will submit a status report within the next three months. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has more than once written to the Centre to intensify vigil on the international border in Punjab and adjoining areas of Jammu and Kashmir given the increasing vulnerability of the Punjab border. <br /><br />The committee has been formulated as an independent body under the chairmanship of former home secretary Madhukar Gupta. Deputy national security advisor (NSA) Dr Arvind Gupta in the communication said Deputy NSA, Director IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee, surveyor general of India and a representative from the state government, not below the rank of IG, would be members of the committee.<br /><br /> The committee will physically inspect the condition of border fencing along India-Pakistan border. <br /><br />Since the committee is to be an independent body, it has been decided to form the committee under the national security council secretariat, Gupta said. The Punjab government has often cribbed about inadequate BSF presence on its 553-km border fence with Pakistan. <br /><br />This border zone is notorious for drug smuggling; however, the government pressed the panic button following repeated terror strikes on strategic military and police establishments within its bounds.</p>
