Q. With reference to the Border Security Force (BSF), consider the following statements:
1.One of its mandates is to counter-terrorism operations.
2.It is responsible for guarding the borders of India with China and Nepal.
3.It is one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. While border guarding is the BSF’s primary focus, it also plays a vital role in counter-terrorism efforts. They’re deployed in vulnerable areas and have specialized units trained for counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations. The BSF is one of the CAPFs, alongside the AR, CRPF, NSG, CISF, SSB, and ITBP. These forces function under the Ministry of Home Affairs and play crucial roles in maintaining internal security and safeguarding India’s borders.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The BSF’s area of expertise lies in securing India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is entrusted with guarding the Sino-Indian border, while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) takes care of the Nepal and Bhutan borders.
Source: Forum IAS
