India makes 'laser walls' operational along border with Pakistan

The Times of India reported that eight infra-red and laser beam intrusion detection systems are “up and working” along as many vulnerable and sensitive areas of the international border in Punjab, while four more will be operationalised in the next few days, the paper said citing a Border Security Force (BSF) official.

The “laser walls” or fence are being monitored by the BSF which guards the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The decision to install these laser walls was taken by the BSF two years ago keeping in mind the vulnerability of the border in these areas as barbed wire fencing could not be installed in many infiltration prone areas due to treacherous terrain or marshy riverine topography.

After the Pathankot terror attack, where it was suspected that terrorists crossed over from Pakistan by breaching the border from Bamiyal area in Punjab, Union home ministry and BSF sped up the deployment and activation of these walls along the long and winding border.

A total of 45 such laser walls will be installed in these areas along the international border in Punjab and Jammu, a blueprint prepared in this regard and accessed by PTI said.

According to the blueprint, the BSF along with a team of technical experts will be conducting a pilot project for deploying “technological solutions” for effective border guarding at two “sensitive” riverine stretches in Jammu sector which entails deployment of smart sensors to pick up suspected movements along the international border.

“The laser walls have started working and their functioning is being monitored. Preliminary results in detecting illegal movements are encouraging,” the official said.