New Delhi:

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday praised Israel for strongly defending its borders amidst sharp escalation by Hamas and other terror outfits and explained how its harnessing of technology thwarted the evil designs of a ‘gang of rivals’.

Addressing the 21st BSF Investiture Ceremony, NSA Ajit Doval said: “Some days ago, there were a series of missile attacks on Israel from Iran. Out of 1500 missiles, 99 per cent of missiles were stopped while only two to three could hit its territory. This is the strength of technology.”

Further explaining the importance of intelligence gathering, he said that given the size of the country and its vast population, India was ‘better placed’ in mounting defence of its borders.

He said that the lack of ‘tactical intelligence’ proved to be the major reason for the October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in hundreds of Hamas infiltrators breaching its territory and massacring its citizens.

“We are fortunate to have a huge force, a bustling population on our borders. Villagers here, familiar to terrains and local languages, can serve as eye and ear for the forces, in intelligence gathering,” he told the audience.

NSA Doval lauded the Border Security Forces (BSF) for doing a splendid and impressive job in guarding the nation’s frontiers and also helping in internal security on special occasions.

On a lighter note, Mr Doval also recalled the mantra of Chanakya, the famed strategist and said, “You can’t control the borders where the local population is hostile to you.”

Dishing out tips on security management in border areas, he said: “You must befriend the border population. Locals shouldn’t feel that people in uniforms are here to control them, to impose restrictions on them, to make their lives more regulated and complicated. It should be rather friendly and warm.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Tarn Taran, Punjab:

The troops of the Border Security Forces (BSF) recovered a damaged China-made drone in Punjab’s Tarn Taran District, officials said on Wednesday.

According to the officials, the BSF recovered the drone from a farming field nearby Dal village in district Tarn Taran on Wednesday.

“On Tuesday, during the morning hours, while BSF troups were carrying out area domination patrolling in the area ahead of the border fence in district Tarn Taran, at about 11:20 am, a crushing sound was heard under a reaper machine that was making straw in a wheat field ahead of the border fence,” the official statement said.

Upon reaching nearby, the BSF stopped the machine and observed that a drone was crushed under the reaper and found in fully damaged condition in the wheat field, it added.

The recovered drone has been identified as a China-made DJI Mavice 3 classic.

“This recovery of an illicit drone underscores the sincere efforts of the BSF, which is committed to decimating the drone menace from across the border,” the BSF added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

In a gesture of goodwill, the Border Security Force (BSF) handed over a man from Pakistan to their soldiers, who had inadvertently crossed over to the Indian side of the international Border in Punjab.

Yesterday, BSF troops apprehended the man ahead of the fence in the Tarn Taran district.

Upon questioning, it was revealed that he was unaware of the border’s alignment and had unintentionally crossed into Indian territory. Nothing objectionable was found in his possession during the search.

A flag meeting was conducted to express concerns over the failure of Pakistan Rangers to restrict the movement of Pakistani nationals. The individual was handed over to Pakistan Rangers on humanitarian grounds and as a goodwill gesture.

The BSF is tasked to secure the borders from Gujarat in the west to Assam in the east, acting as India’s first line of defence. 

Last week, the Border Security Force along with the Punjab Police recovered two drones from different locations in the border area of Amritsar, officials said. The recovered drones were identified as China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic. Earlier on April 20, the BSF recovered a drone carrying three packets of suspected heroin from the border area of Ferozepur.

Jammu and Kashmir:

The jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) along with its Women’s Wing smeared their fellow comrades with colours as they celebrated Holi at the International Border on Sunday.

The civilians also joined in the celebrations on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated the festival of colours, Holi, with soldiers in Leh.

He was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps Lt Gen Rashim Bali.

Speaking to jawans and other senior defence personnel on the occasion, the Raksha Mantri said, “If Delhi is our national capital, Ladakh is a capital of bravery and valour. Visiting you all to celebrate Holi makes this one of the happiest moments for me. Siachen is no ordinary land. It is an unshakeable symbol of India’s sovereignty and determination. It represents our national determination,” he said.

“I have said it many times before and will say it again: it is our duty to take care of you, your children, your parents…your family. We are always ready for that. I do not need to tell you here that with the same diligence with which you are working for this country by dedicating your body and mind, our government is also working for the betterment of our armed forces,” Rajnath added.

The Defence Minister requested Army Chief Manoj Pande to establish a new tradition by telling the Air chief and Navy chief that whenever a festival comes around, they should ring in the celebrations the day before with soldiers and armed forces personnel deployed at the frontiers and protecting the country’s sovereignty in the face of grave adversities.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the country’s citizens on the eve of Holi on Sunday.

Holi, a festival celebrated with as much fervour in the country as it is overseas, will be marked on March 25, Monday, this year.

The festival is preceded by a ritual of lighting bonfires called Holika Dahan, signifying the burning of the demon Holika.

The festival is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is believed to have spent a considerable amount of time in a region called Braj in Uttar Pradesh.

It not only replicates the spirit of Holi but also impersonates the timeless love of Radha and Lord Krishna.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)