Border Security Force (BSF) 2015

Animal Defence India

October 21, 2015

Border Security Force (BSF) 2015

A commemorative postage stamp on the Golden Jubilee of the Seema Suraksha Bal (BSF), primary border defence organisation of India :

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 21, 2015

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to release a commemorative postage stamp on completion of 50 years of Glorious Service of the Border Security Force.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

The challenge of effective policing of Indo-Pak border rose immediately after Independence. At that time, and till 1965, the various Police units entrusted with security of the border were functioning largely under the control of the State governments. The organization, standard of the training and scales of the equipments differed from one unit to another and there was lack of coordination amongst all border guiding units.
Pakistan‘s deliberate and calculated incursion in the areas of India territory in January 1965 led to a localized offensive by its regular Army. It was in context of these early developments that the then Prime Minister of India desired a thorough review of security arrangements at the borders against Pakistan be carried out and, if necessary, a Central Force be established.
In January 1965, the Emergency Committee of Secretaries, set up a Study Group to undertake an examination of the possibility of streamlining and reducing the multiplicity of Paramilitary Forces in the border area, and consider the formation of a Border Police Force that could relieve the Army of Border Defense and related responsibilities during normal times and also supplement the military efforts in times of hostile confrontations or actual hostilities.
The recommendation of the Study Group was accepted by the Government of India and the Border Security Force (BSF) came into being on 1^st December, 1965, with 25 Battalions, under the charismatic leadership of Shri K. F. Rustamji.
The Force was constituted under the then CRPF Act. Later, the Parliament passed, BSF Act & Rules which were published in official Gazette on 2^nd September, 1968 and 13^th June, 1969 respectively.
The Border Security Force was constituted as an Armed Force of the Union in 1965 for guiding the Nation’s International Borders. Originally, the main role given to BSF was divided into two main categories i.e. Peace Time Role and War Time Role. Although, the concept of Border Security has undergone a sea change with the growing vulnerability of the borders, yet the Peace and War Time Role of BSF have remained the same as under:–
- The BSF, played a commendable role in the struggle for the liberation of Bangladesh and in the subsequent conflict with Pakistan. Its contribution to our victory over Pakistan has been widely acclaimed.
- During the 1971 Indo–Pak war, BSF fought shoulder to shoulder with Army against Pakistan regular and irregular troops in defensive as well as offensive actions. It bore the initial brunt of the war and provided a screen behind which the Army could deploy. It held strong points in front of the main defense against the repeated attacks by Pakistan regular troops supported by tanks and in the face of some of the heaviest artillery shelling. It also undertook many notable offensive actions like capturing enemy’s strong points held by regular troops of Pakistan. In many instances BSF made deep advances and captured large areas in Bangladesh and in the Western Sector. The BSF personnel made supreme sacrifices during the war and were decorated with numerous medals for their act of gallantry.
- Presently, the BSF is also sending its UN peace keeping contingents to Congo and Haiti. It is also sending security personnel to the High Commission at Colombo. In the past, the organization had also sent personnel on UN missions in countries like Cambodia, Kosovo, Bosnia etc.
- Over the years, the Border Security Force has witnessed diversification of peace-time role from its distinctive functions of border security and surveillance to Internal Security duties on account of internal disorder and violent social discontent in the country. The additional responsibilities entrusted to BSF include counter insurgency operations, election duties, aid to civil authorities during natural calamities, law & order duties, anti-naxal operations etc.
- The force which started with a modest holding of 25 Battalions expanded in a gradual manner to 186 Battalions including three DM (Disaster Management) Battalions.
Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.