The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Bhuj, Gujarat. On this occasion, Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, BSF Director General, Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary, and several other dignitaries were present.

In his address, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that over the past six years, the BSF has compelled not only the people of India but the entire world to accept that as long as the BSF stands guard, the enemy cannot even cast an eye on a single inch of India’s land. He stated that the brave soldiers of the BSF have discharged the responsibility of being the ‘first responders’ with extraordinary valour, skill, and complete disregard for their own lives—many even making the supreme sacrifice. As the country’s Home Minister, this fills him with immense pride and honour. Shri Shah told the BSF personnel that not just the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, but the entire nation salutes their bravery, has unwavering faith in their competence, and sleeps peacefully because of their unbreakable resolve to protect the country—this, he said, is a matter of great pride for any force.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that so far, 2013 valiant soldiers of the Border Security Force have made the supreme sacrifice of their lives while keeping the country’s borders inviolable and secure. He said that BSF personnel have never looked back—not only in border defence, but also in numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions and in countless internal emergencies within the country, whether it was combating terrorism or realizing the national goal of eliminating Naxalism. They have always placed duty above everything and stepped forward. Shri Shah stated that it is precisely because of this that today both the eastern and western borders of India stand resolute, unwavering, and completely secure. The greatest credit for this goes to the brave soldiers of the BSF.

Shri Amit Shah said that this valiant land of Kutch is a symbol of indomitable courage. He said that for centuries, despite adverse weather and circumstances, the people of Kutch have nurtured this region with grit and resilience and taken it to the heights of development. He remarked that from the 1970s until today, the strongest resistance to every aggression has been put up by the people of Kutch — the entire country bears witness to this. Shri Shah said that in numerous wars, the people of Kutch marched shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army and BSF and played an extraordinary role. He highlighted that the brave women of this region played a vital part in keeping the nation safe by repairing airstrips during wartime and making them operational again within hours. Union Home Minister said that the land of Kutch has endured the most devastating earthquake of the century. Union Home Minister said that the land of Kutch has endured the most devastating earthquake of the century. He proudly declared today that because of the tireless efforts of the people of Kutch, the region has not only recovered from the earthquake but has become 100 times more beautiful and developed than before — a shining example of the indomitable spirit and resilience of Kutch’s people.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that ever since its establishment on 1 December 1965, the Border Security Force has successfully scaled every pinnacle of excellence. He stated that among all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), BSF is the only force dedicated to guarding the nation on land, water, and air frontiers. Whether it is our air borders, the most inaccessible land borders, or water borders amidst countless obstacles, BSF personnel remain deployed on all three. Shri Shah said that the courage and skill with which BSF jawans have adapted to these diverse challenges and the harshest forces of nature while achieving the singular goal of securing India’s borders is truly commendable. Shri Shah said that on water, land, and sky, the BSF has always had only one goal: the security of India. He expressed pride that today, with the strength of 193 battalions and over 2.76 lakh personnel, the BSF is fully protecting and monitoring the entire 2,279 km border with Pakistan and the 4,096 km border with Bangladesh.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the coming year will be fully dedicated to the complete modernization of the BSF, and the year after that will be entirely devoted to the welfare of our brave jawans and their families. During this period, the BSF and the Ministry of Home Affairs will launch numerous schemes and take concrete steps toward the welfare of the personnel and their families. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has resolved to transform the BSF into the world’s most modern and most capable border security force within the next five years. He added that many new initiatives will be rolled out in the coming days, and he wants to assure the families of Jawans posted in difficult conditions along the borders that under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Government of India will leave no stone unturned for their welfare.

Shri Amit Shah said that a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist group carried out a cowardly attack on our tourists in Pahalgam, asking their religion before brutally killing them. After this attack, the Prime Minister had said that a befitting and crushing reply would be given. Shri Shah said that through 'Operation Sindoor' we gave only a limited response, yet Pakistan treated the strike on the terrorists as an attack on itself. The moment the Pakistani army came into action, BSF jawans did not fall short in giving them a befitting and resounding reply. He said that within just a few days, due to the valour and bravery of the BSF and the Army, Pakistan was forced to announce a unilateral ceasefire. Because of this, a clear message has gone out to the entire world that no one should dare tamper with India's borders or challenge India's security forces — otherwise they will have to face the consequences.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that during ‘Operation Sindoor’, our forces destroyed nine key locations of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba, including their headquarters, training camps, and launch pads. The objective of this operation was the complete elimination of terrorism, the safety of our citizens, and the security of border areas. Home Minister further said that during this operation, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiyaz Ahmad and Constable Deepak made the supreme sacrifice while displaying unparalleled bravery, and he pays his heartfelt tributes to these bravehearts.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the BSF has achieved remarkable success even in Naxal-affected areas. He said, due to the valour and relentless efforts of our security forces, the country will be completely free from Naxalism by 31^st March 2026. Home Minister reiterated that our firm resolve is to completely eradicate Naxalism from the country by 31 March 2026 and clear the path for the all-round development of our tribal brothers and sisters. Shri Shah said that the armed Naxalites once dreamt of a ‘Tirupati-to-Pashupati’ Red Corridor, but now that very corridor will not only be made fully secure, but unprecedented development will also be ensured in those regions. Union Home Minister said that in Chhattisgarh alone, the BSF has facilitated the surrender of 127 Maoists, arrested 73 Maoists, and neutralised 22 Maoists.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the BSF has launched numerous operations against the infiltration of narcotics into the country and achieved tremendous success. He informed, BSF has seized more than 18,000 kilograms of drugs so far in 2025—this is a historic achievement. He said that the BSF remains fully engaged in preventing infiltration along all our borders. Preventing infiltration is not only essential for the country’s security but also crucial to protect our democratic system from being polluted. Unfortunately, some political parties are actively trying to weaken the ‘Ghuspaithiya Hataao’ campaign. Shri Shah further said that these very political parties are opposing the voter list purification process being carried out by the Election Commission under the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) exercise. He declared with firm resolve that it is our pledge that we will identify and deport every single infiltrator from this country, one by one.

The Home Minister said that in this country, only Indian citizens will decide who the Chief Minister of any state becomes or who becomes the Prime Minister of India. No infiltrator has the right to pollute our democratic system or influence our democratic decisions. He said that SIR is a vital step to protect our democracy from infiltrators and to make it even stronger. He appealed to the people of the country to extend their full support to this process. He said, the mandate given by the people of Bihar is a clear message: the citizens of the country will not accept infiltrators at any cost. Shri Shah said that my clear message to the political parties opposing the SIR for political gains is that the infiltrators will certainly be thrown out of the country.

Union Home Minister, said that in the past few years, we have rapidly strengthened and made the border fencing impenetrable. Most of the trials related to fencing have now been completed. In the coming days, we are bringing the new revolutionary concept of ‘e-Border Security’. The BSF has the biggest role in implementing this concept on the ground, and the initial initiative has also been taken by the BSF itself. Every possible effort will be made to fully roll it out on the ground within the next one year, and I am fully confident that within the next five years, the entire land border of our country will be securely covered under this e-security shield.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that in a historic step towards making India’s maritime borders impregnable, the country’s first National Academy for Coastal Policing (NACP) has been established at Okha in Gujarat. The entire responsibility for its operation and management rests with the BSF. He added that in the times to come, this academy will provide world-class training to our Marine Police Force and further strengthen the nation’s coastal security apparatus. Shri Amit Shah said that three major challenges existed for the welfare of our BSF jawans: better healthcare services, improvement in the housing satisfaction ratio, and long duty hours. In the last few years, we have taken several concrete and revolutionary steps in all these three areas.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, during his address, paid humble tributes to the great freedom fighter Shri Harekrushna Mahtab, Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Jadunath Singh, and Bharat Ratna Dr. C.V. Raman on their birth anniversaries. He further stated that today, our Border Security Force personnel have been honoured with one Police Medal for Gallantry (posthumous), eight President’s Medals, and the General Chaudhary Trophy, Maharana Pratap Trophy, and Ashwini Kumar Trophy. Shri Shah also informed that on the occasion of the BSF’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a commemorative postage stamp has been released today. This stamp will forever keep the glorious 60-year journey of the Force alive in the nation’s memory for centuries to come.

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