19 September, 2017
The Home Minister launched the SSB's first intelligence wing, which will gather information along the borders with Bhutan and Nepal.
Singh was speaking at the launch of the intelligence wing of the Sashastra Seema Bal in New Delhi.
He lauded the SSB saying it is very tough to guard open borders that allow free movement of people.
The SSB had earlier send a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting up an intelligence unit to strengthen the efficiency and operational mandate of the force on borders and for internal security duties in Jammu and Kashmir and anti-naxal duties, the official said. The SSB has been mandated to guard the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders where there are no restrictions on the movement of people on either side.
Since 2010, as many as 230 former Kashmiri militants, based in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), have returned home through the Indo-Nepal border.
"Do not believe on messages and forward it to anyone without verification as anti-national elements have been trying to create agitation in the society by circulating such messages", said Singh. On the other hand, the Indo-Bhutan border is often used by terror groups active in the Northeast, particularly the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), which has even attacked Bhutanese nationals in the past. Also, their spouses and 88 children have come along with them, the official said.
Having a separate specialised intelligence unit was important for the SSB since subversive elements are known to take advantage of the "friendly Borders" with Nepal and Bhutan.
"In an open border, the force does not know who is anti-national, which way a criminal is coming or who is carrying fake Indian currency notes or drugs", he said adding that the force under IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram, who retires on September 30, has done a great job.
