Newsroom24x7 Staff

Barmer (Rajasthan): India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh, on Saturday the second day of his visit to the India-Pakistan Border (IPB) in Rajasthan, said we never open fire first, but if attacked, in retaliation we never count the bullets after pulling the trigger.

The Home Minister was addressing the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Munabao Border Outpost (BOP) in Barmer district today. He said that India never attacks anyone and we do not intend to occupy others’ land. Our heritage is “Vasudev Kutumbakam” meaning, “The whole word is one family.”

Lauding the morale of the BSF personnel despite the very adverse temperature and difficult desert terrain, the Union Home Minister assured the security personnel that the Government will do everything to improve the border infrastructure and their service conditions.

Singh said the damaged border fence at some places will be urgently repaired and it will be periodically reviewed and repaired. Installation of Flood lighting and a parallel road along the border fencing will also be completed soon to facilitate effective border patrolling, he said noting that some of the BOPs do not have proper telephone facility. At these places, mobile connectivity will be improved by sanctioning more mobile towers. In the meantime, additional satellite phones will be provided at the BOPs.

Singh told the BSF personnel that the Ministry of Home Affairs will also address the shortage of Bullet Proof (BP) jackets. He went on to assure that lighter BP jackets will be procured. He expressed concern at shortage of drinking water facility at some of the BOPs and said that a survey would be conducted on the feasibility of providing piped water supply to all the BOPs.

Speaking of camp security, the Union Home Minister said the BSF proposal for constructing safety walls and ring bunds on the periphery of the Battalion HQs and BOPs will be examined. Regarding the camouflage uniform and the general complaint that it was was not suitable for the hot temperature, he gave the assurance that the issue will be resolved.

The Union Home Minister said: “I salute you and respect your zeal to serve the nation.” Further, he said, the BSF has a special place in the hearts of all Indians.

Yesterday the Union Home Minister visited Murar and adjoining BOP in Jaisalmer district and interacted with the BSF jawans.