New Delhi: Following the recent detection of a 150-meter long underground tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir's Samba, former Border Security Force (BSF) director-general (DG) Prakash Singh on Wednesday said that China may coerce Pakistan to open another 'front' for India.
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Singh said, "Detection of tunnel is nothing new. But the timing of it gives an impression that Pakistan is being pressurised by China to open another hot front for India. When Indian troops are in face to face with China in Ladakh, they want that Pakistan should also create problems so that Indian troops get bogged down in such situation."
Former Army personnel said that BSF had unearthed several such tunnels in the past having its origin in Pakistan. These tunnels were used by the terrorists to enter India.
The latest such incident took place in November at Samba district along the 198-km stretch of the international border with Pakistan in J&K.
Security officials said that this tunnel might be used for pushing terrorists by Pakistan. The detection took place following investigations into the recent encounter that took place near a toll plaza in Nagrota area along J&K highway where four militants were gunned down by security forces.
In September too, alert BSF jawans unearthed another 170-meter tunnel at Galar village among the international border.
In fact, digging tunnel to push militants from across the border has become a regular modus operandi being used by forces inimical to India's security.
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Prakash Singh said that security forces need to be alert.
"We have to deploy our forces in good strength and we have to activate our intelligence. Our government should also create awareness among villagers because if a tunnel is dug in a village, the villager should be the first person to know about the existence of a tunnel. In fact, we should rely on their intelligence and cooperation," said Singh.
The former BSF chief suggested that this is not the right time to conduct another Balakot like strike against militants having their bases in across the border.
"The best way is to take every possible preventive measure and put pressure on Pakistan along the western frontier. They (Pakistan) should know that if they take liberty, there will be consequences. In this situation, people's cooperation is necessary and intelligence should be geared up," said Singh.
He suggested that the government should launch many more civic action programme for the border villagers.
"Maintaining good relation with villagers living along the international border is very much necessary. Sometimes, civic action programme is also required. We have to open schools, give free medicines, provide medical aide among others. Even if you are not doing anything, you should maintain a good relation so that the villagers should not get tempted by ISI of any other forces," Singh said.
Interestingly, from April this year, the Union Home Ministry has brought into implementation a new guideline of border areas development programme (BADP-2020).
The main objective of BADP-2020 was to meet the special developmental needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border.
