Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 11: Security agencies have stepped up vigilance along India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh amid intelligence inputs warning of possible attempts by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to carry out attacks or facilitate infiltration ahead of Independence Day.
Multiple intelligence inputs have warned that Pakistan-backed elements could attempt a major strike along border areas or target locations within the country ahead of August 15, officials said.
An Intelligence Bureau official said the ISI may try to exploit the security focus on Independence Day celebrations, particularly in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir.
“The ISI is trying to exploit this and will attempt something major either on Independence Day or ahead of it,” the official said.
According to the official, attempts could be made to infiltrate terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir and push operatives through the Bangladesh border. The ISI could also target tier-2 cities, where security arrangements are generally less extensive than in major metropolitan centres.
Officials said intelligence intercepts indicate that the ISI is under pressure amid unrest in areas including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Balochistan. A major incident in India could potentially divert attention from the situation within Pakistan, they said.
Security agencies are maintaining heightened vigilance in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, which have traditionally been among the areas targeted by Pakistani intelligence networks.
However, officials said carrying out an attack in these areas would be difficult because of the extensive security arrangements in place.
Another official cautioned that the ISI could also attempt to divert security agencies by generating false alarms.
“There are several intercepts that suggest that a big attack is being planned in Delhi or Kashmir,” the official said, adding that many such intelligence inputs are not necessarily actionable and could form part of a deliberate diversion strategy.
The official said an attack could potentially be planned elsewhere while agencies remain focused on locations highlighted in such inputs.
Securing the borders with both Pakistan and Bangladesh remains a major challenge for security agencies, officials said, with increased surveillance aimed at preventing infiltration, smuggling and other extremist activities.
BSF launches Operation Alert
Along the western border with Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) has launched Operation Alert, which began on August 10 and will continue until August 17.
The exercise involves senior BSF officers and comes amid information about a possible ISI-backed attempt, officials said.
“There is also credible information about possible infiltration and smuggling attempts. During this period, a large force would keep a close watch on every activity along the border. Surveillance and patrolling have been increased significantly in these areas,” an official said.
Nearly 40 SIB units planned in West Bengal
Meanwhile, the Centre has decided to establish nearly 40 Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) units across districts bordering Bangladesh in West Bengal to strengthen intelligence-gathering capabilities.
An official described the move as one of the biggest expansions of the Intelligence Bureau’s field structure, aimed at establishing a permanent operational presence along the vulnerable border.
The official said effective border security requires continuous surveillance and intelligence gathering, particularly as incidents involving smuggling, infiltration and extremist activities are regularly reported in the region.
Real-time intelligence would help security agencies detect and prevent such activities, the official said.