Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the BSF’s 61st Raising Day celebrations on Friday as the Chief Guest at the 176th Battalion campus in Haripar Bhuj. He paid homage to BSF personnel who sacrificed their lives, laying a wreath at the memorial. The BSF, responsible for guarding the India-Pakistan border, was formed in 1965 after the Indo-Pak war, replacing the State Armed Police Battalion. Starting with 25 battalions, it expanded over time to tackle challenges such as militancy in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and the Northeast. Today, the force has 193 battalions (including three NDRF units) and seven artillery regiments, securing borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The BSF also handles anti-infiltration duties in Kashmir, counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, anti-Naxal missions in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and security at integrated check posts along both borders. During Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, BSF units on the Jammu frontier destroyed more than 118 Pakistani posts, severely weakening Pakistan’s surveillance infrastructure. Shah noted that even in peacetime, BSF remains alert and responds swiftly based on accurate intelligence.

As the world’s largest border-guarding force with more than 2.7 lakh personnel, the BSF has played a crucial role in national security for over six decades. The 2024 Raising Day parade was held in Jodhpur, where Shah highlighted the sacrifices of BSF personnel. Up to 2024, 1,992 BSF members have laid down their lives, and 1,330 have received medals, including Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakras, Vir Chakras, Shaurya Chakras, Sena Medals, and Police Medals.