BSF set to strengthen Bangladesh, Pakistan borders with new battalions

The Border Security Force (BSF) is poised to receive final government approval to raise 16 new battalions—comprising approximately 17,000 personnel—and establish two new field headquarters to bolster security along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders, official sources have confirmed.

The proposal has already received in-principle approval and awaits final clearance from the Union finance ministry, which is expected shortly.

This expansion comes amid heightened security concerns on both fronts: increased vigilance along the eastern border following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh last year, and renewed challenges on the western front after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Currently, the BSF operates 193 battalions to safeguard India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Each battalion consists of over 1,000 personnel. The addition of 16 battalions will significantly enhance the force’s capacity, adding around 17,000 troopers over the next five to six years.

As part of this strategic upgrade, two new sector headquarters have also been approved by the Union Home Ministry. One will be established in Jammu to strengthen operations along the India-Pakistan International Border in Jammu and Punjab, while the other will be based in Mizoram to improve oversight along the Bangladesh frontier.

At present, the BSF’s Jammu frontier sectors are located at Rajouri, Sunderbani, Jammu, and Indreshwar Nagar. The Mizoram and Cachar frontier, headquartered in Assam, includes sectors in Silchar, Aizawl, and Manipur.

Recruitment drives will soon be launched to fill the ranks of the new battalions, followed by training and phased deployment.

According to officials, the BSF—currently a 270,000-strong force—had earlier submitted a proposal to raise 20–21 new battalions due to changing security dynamics, terrain challenges, and increased responsibilities, including counter-insurgency operations. The government has now approved 16 of those.

The BSF is responsible for securing 6,726 km of India's borders, including 2,290 km along the Pakistan International Border, 339 km along the Line of Control (LoC), and 4,097 km along the Bangladesh border. Approximately 1,047 km of these borders remain unfenced due to difficult riverine and forested terrain. The force maintains 1,760 border posts across these frontiers.