Shillong, Dec 1: The BSF Meghalaya Frontier on Saturday.

DG BSF, Rajnikant Mishra, and IG BSF Meghalaya Frontier, L Mohanti, conveyed their best wishes to all ranks of the BSF on the occasion.

Raised on December 1, 1965, the BSF, elite force that faced the first bullet from the enemy at the borders of Pakistan and Bangladesh has a history of its gallant and brave actions at the border during both peace and war time. This force has also shown its worth during anti-naxal operations and other internal security duties.

During this year, the BSF Meghalaya Frontier has seized 6294 numbers of cattle, and contraband items worth Rs.21.4 crore.

The vigilant BSF troops have also apprehended 23 Bangladeshi smugglers/criminals and 33 Indian smugglers/criminals at the border areas.

While one over ground worker of the Bangladesh Tiger Force was nabbed, one GNLA militant also surrendered before the BSF.

Six numbers of country made Gun (SBBL), two grenades, 29 rounds live rounds and huge quantity of explosives were seized on the border by the BSF personnel to curb trans-border illegal activities. The dedicated BSF troops had regular and continuous vigil at the border to safe guard the international boundary as well as the citizens of India.

The BSF Meghalaya Frontier is guarding the 444km International Border with Bangladesh by nine BSF Battalions and eight convoys deployed at various place of the country.

The BSF has initiated various programmes in border areas to develop strong bonding between the BSF and people residing along the international border in their attempt to reach out to the border population through various interactive programmes including civic action programmes at various locations in the bordering areas of Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo district of Meghalaya.

Various items like water storage tanks, computers, school furniture, stationary, wheel chairs, sports items, colour TV sets with DTH were distributed to the border villagers under several civic action programmes.

The main objective of the distribution of items was to help people in generating income which would help them improve their living conditions. Several Medical camps were also conducted simultaneously at border area, and free medicines were distributed to the needy patients, apart from blood donation camps. A number of combined medical camps by BSF and BGB for bordering people of India and Bangladesh were also organized at the International Border of Meghalaya with Bangladesh.

Several training activities for local youth including driving, tailoring, computer, physical and written test for recruitment in forces were also organised in order to assist them in getting employment.

Remembering its martyr’s, the BSF also honoured the family members in various programmes organised throughout India.

The BSF also focused on using technology for effective surveillance of the International border, and in this process, various meetings were held with its counterpart BGB across the border to solve trans-border issues at various levels.

“The BSF, in close cooperation and synergy with all Central and State sister agencies has worked for the betterment of the border population and is committed for the effective border management,” the BSF said in a statement.