Editing Border Security Force

{{Short description|Indian border force for Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh Borders}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = Border Security Force
| nativenamer       = ''Sīmā Surakṣā Bala''
| commonname        = 
| logo              = BSF Logo.png
| logocaption       = [[Emblem]] of the Border Security Force
| flag              = [[File:BSF Flag.svg|150px]]
| flagcaption       = Flag of the Border Security Force
| abbreviation      = BSF
| imagesize         = 
| motto             = "जीवन पर्यन्त कर्तव्य"<br/>{{transliteration|sa|ISO|Jīvana Paryanta Kartavya}} <small>''[[ISO 15919|ISO]]''</small> <br> {{Translation|"Duty Unto Death"}}
| formed            = {{Start date and age|df=y|1965|12|1}}
| legalpersonality  = 
| country           = Republic of India
| federal           = 
| governingbody     = [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]
| constitution1     = [https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/bsfAct&Rules_2.pdf Border Security Force Act, 1968]
| speciality1       = 
| headquarters      = [[New Delhi]]
| electeetype       = Minister
| minister1name     = [[Amit Shah]]
| minister1pfo      = [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]]
| chief1name        = [[Daljit Singh Chaudhary]], [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Daljit Singh Chawdhary takes over as BSF director general. 5 things to know about him &#124; Latest News India - Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/daljit-singh-chawdhary-takes-over-as-bsf-director-general-5-things-to-know-about-him-101722701003453-amp.html}}</ref>
| chief1position    = [[Director General of the Border Security Force|Director General]]
| parentagency      = 
| website           = {{URL|www.BSF.gov.in}}
| budget            = {{INRConvert|28231.27|c|1}} <small>(2025–26)</small><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Feb 2025 |title=DEMAND NO. 51, Demands for Grants, 2025-2026, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS |url=https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe51.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=1 Feb 2025 |website=IndiaBudget.gov.in |pages=5 |format=PDF |publication-place=[[New Delhi]]}}</ref>
| employees         = 270,000 active personnel
}}
{{Politics of India}}
The '''Border Security Force''' ('''BSF''') is a [[Central Armed Police Forces|central armed police force]] in [[India]] under the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. It is responsible for guarding [[Border guard|India’s borders]] with [[India–Pakistan border|Pakistan]] and [[Bangladesh–India border|Bangladesh]]. It was formed in the wake of the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965|Indo-Pak War of 1965]] to ensure the security of India’s borders and for related matters.<ref name="BSF Act">{{cite web |last1=Government of India |date=2 September 1968 |title=The Border Security Force Act, 1968 No. 47 of 1968 |url=http://bsf.nic.in/doc/bsfActRules.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017063459/http://bsf.nic.in/doc/bsfActRules.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2014 |access-date=8 September 2014 |publisher=Ministry of Law (Legislative Department ) |pages=1–2 |language=en, hi |df=dmy}}</ref><ref name="Border Security Force">{{cite web |last1= |title=Role of the BSF |url=http://bsf.nic.in/en/introduction1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908224637/http://bsf.nic.in/en/introduction1.html |archive-date=8 September 2014 |access-date=8 September 2014 |website= |publisher=Border Security Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, India |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The BSF has grown from 25 battalions in 1965, to 193 [[battalion]]s with a sanctioned strength of 270,000 personnel including an expanding air wing, [[Border Security Force (Water Wing)|water wing]], an [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|artillery regiment]] and specialised units.<ref name="air wing, BSF">{{cite web |title=BSF Air Wing |url=http://bsf.nic.in/en/air-wing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820142102/http://www.bsf.nic.in/en/air-wing.html |archive-date=20 August 2014 |access-date=8 September 2014 |website= |publisher=Border Security Force |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MHA Annual Report 2016-2017 |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200948/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/EnglAnnualReport2016-17_17042017.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2017 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is currently the world's largest border security force. BSF has been termed the ''First Line of Defence'' of Indian territories.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 May 2015 |title=BSF is first Wall of Defence of India, says Home Minister Rajnath Singh at 13th Investiture Ceremony |publisher=Biharprabha News |agency=ANI |url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2015/05/union-home-minister-rajnath-singh-at-13th-bsf-investiture-ceremony/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522155318/http://news.biharprabha.com/2015/05/union-home-minister-rajnath-singh-at-13th-bsf-investiture-ceremony/ |archive-date=22 May 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== History ==
Since [[India|India's]] [[Indian independence movement|independence]] in 1947, the protection of its international boundaries was the responsibility of the local police in each border state, with little inter-state coordination.<ref name="bsf.nic.in1">{{cite web |title=Introduction Border Security Force |url=http://bsf.nic.in/en/introduction.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206040944/http://bsf.nic.in/en/introduction.html |archive-date=6 February 2015 |website=bsf.nic.in}}</ref> However, during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], Pakistan attacked Sardar Post, Char Bet, and Beria Bet on April 9, 1965, in Kutch. This attack exposed the inadequacy of the State Armed Police in coping with armed aggression. Thus, after the war, the government created the Border Security Force as a unified central agency with the specific mandate of guarding India's international borders. This act brought greater cohesion to border security. [[K F Rustamji]], from the Indian Police Service, was the first Director General of the BSF. Since it was a new force, the officers had to be deputed or inducted from outside to fill the various vacancies at different levels until the force's own cadre matured sufficiently. For this reason, emergency commissioned officers and SS officers of the Indian Army were inducted in large numbers into the force, along with IPS officers who were deputed to the force for high-level appointments.<ref name="bsf.nic.in1"/>

The BSF's capabilities were used in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] against [[Pakistani Armed Forces|Pakistani forces]] in areas where the [[Military of India|Regular Forces]] were thinly spread. BSF troops took part in several operations, including the famous [[Battle of Longewala]]. In fact, for the BSF the war on the eastern front had started well before the war actually broke out in December 1971. BSF had trained, supported and formed part of [[Mukti Bahini]] and had entered erstwhile East Pakistan before the actual hostilities broke out. The BSF played a very important role in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|Liberation of Bangladesh]], which [[Indira Gandhi]] and [[Sheikh Mujibur Rehman]] had also acknowledged.

{{see also|Director General of the Border Security Force}}
[[Khusro Faramurz Rustamji|K.F. Rustamji]], IPS,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bsf.nic.in/en/Gallary_Ex-DG.html|title=Border Security Force -Photo Gallary(Civic)|work=bsf.nic.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726185404/http://bsf.nic.in/en/Gallary_Ex-DG.html|archive-date=26 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> was appointed as the first Director General of Border Security Force from July 22, 1965, to September 30, 1972, and the current DG (additional charge) is [[Daljit Singh Chaudhary]], [[Indian Police Service|IPS]], since August 3, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020 |title=DG BSF's Message |url=http://bsf.nic.in/en/DGMessage.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722162206/http://bsf.nic.in/en/DGMessage.html |archive-date=22 July 2020}}</ref>

=== Engagements ===
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
*[[Operation Blue Star]]
*[[Operation Black Thunder]]
*[[Insurgency in Punjab]] 
*[[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]
*[[Kargil War|Operation Vijay – Kargil War]]
*[[2001 Bangladeshi-Indian border skirmish]]es
*[[2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff|2001–2002 Operation Parakram – India-Pakistan Standoff]]
*[[2013 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|2013 India-Pakistan Border skirmishes]]
*[[2014–15 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]
*[[2016–2018 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]
*[[2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]
*[[2025 India–Pakistan standoff]]

== Roles ==
'''During peacetime'''
* Border guarding and security.
* Prevention of trans-border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India.
* Prevention of smuggling and any other illegal activities on the border.
* Anti-infiltration duties.
* Collection of trans-border intelligence.
* To promote a sense of security among the people living in the border areas.

'''During war time'''
* Holding ground in assigned sectors.
* Limited aggressive action against irregular forces of the enemy. 
* Maintenance of law and order in enemy territory administered under the Army's control.
* Acting as guides to the Army in border areas.
* Assistance in control of refugees.
* Provision of escorts.
* Performing special tasks connected with intelligence including cross-border raids.<ref name="India 2013"/>
* Replenishing manpower.

The BSF is also employed for internal security duties and other law and order duties on the requisition of the State Government. Being a Central Armed Police Force, it can be entrusted with policing duties at any place apart from its mandate.<ref name="India 2013">Page no. 636 & 637 of Chapter 20 India 2013 published by Publications Division of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India</ref> Although originally charged with guarding India's external boundaries, the BSF in the 1990s was also given the task of [[counter-insurgency]] and [[counter-terrorism]] operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and the Northeastern Seven Sister States. While in Punjab, the BSF took part in operations like Blue Star, Black Thunder 1 & 2. However, when the [[insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]] broke out in 1989, it moved towards the state and handed over the operations in Punjab to CRPF and local police. In [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], the state police and the thinly-deployed [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF) struggled to cope with the torturous violence, so it was deployed to combat these.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the BSF initially suffered casualties from terrorist attacks but later saw successes. During the initial years, terrorist activity had even reached Jammu and parts of Northern Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. However, it was only due to the successful operations by BSF that by the late 1990s, their area of activity had been restricted only to the valley. 
BSF was also successful in setting up a robust [[Human intelligence (intelligence gathering)|HUMINT]] network. From arresting Maulana Masood Azhar, Bitta Karate, Yasin Malik, the BSF is also credited for killing [[Ghazi Baba]] - the chief of [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]] and the mastermind of the [[2001 Indian Parliament attack]] in August 2003, along with his deputy commander. The BSF raided Baba's hideout in [[Srinagar]], and he was killed in the ensuing gun battle along with his deputy chief.

However, with changing tactical and operational conditions, and expansion and modernisation of State police, the Government withdrew all 60 BSF battalions and redeployed them on the [[Indo-Pakistani border]] and [[Bangladesh–India border]]. These troops were then replaced by fresh troops from the [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] that had undergone specialised training in [[counter-terrorism]].

Some units of the BSF are also deployed in Central India to combat Naxal violence. Counter-Maoist operations are diversified. BSF is deployed in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, where Naxal strength is comparatively thinner than that of other parts of [[Bastar district|Bastar]] region. At present total 15 battalions of BSF are stationed in different parts of Kanker district to combat the Naxal.

After recent civilian killings in Kashmir the Home Ministry re-inducted the BSF for counter-insurgency operations and law-and-order duties in valley. The BSF units will be deployed in sensitive areas which lie in various districts of the Kashmir valley. A significant contributor to BSF success in the Kashmir Valley is Commandant Jagmohan Singh Rawat SM, KC. He has played a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations.

== Organisation ==
[[File:Border Security Force Band marching contingent playing ‘Vijay Bharat’ passes through the Rajpath during the 63rd Republic Day Parade-2012, in New Delhi on January 26, 2012.jpg|alt=|thumb|BSF band marching contingent during the 63rd Republic Day Parade.]]
[[File:The Minister of State for Home, Shri R.P.N. Singh with the Children on Bharat Darshan tour from J&K organized by Border Security Force (BSF), in New Delhi on November 05, 2012.jpg|alt=|thumb|The Home Minister with children who are part of the Bharat Darshan Tour organized by the BSF in 2012.]]
[[File:Women personnel of India's Border Security Force.jpg|thumb|Women personnel of BSF taking part in the ceremonial retreat at the India-Pakistan border at [[Wagah]], 2010.]]
[[File:Bsf_vs_ranger.jpg|thumb|A BSF soldier performs at the [[Attari–Wagah border ceremony]] metres from a [[Pakistan Rangers]] soldier.]]
[[File:BSF and BGB.JPG|thumb|At the [[Petrapole-Benapole Border Ceremony]], BSF and [[Border Guard Bangladesh]] personnel.]]
The Border Security Force has its headquarters in New Delhi and is known as Force Headquarters (FHQ) headed by a director general. Various directorates like Operations, Communications & IT, Training, Engineering, General, Law, Provisioning, Administration, Personnel, Armaments, Medical, Finance etc. function under the DG. Each directorate is headed by an IG. The Eastern Theatre is looked after by Spl. DG HQ (Eastern Command) at [[Kolkata]] and the Western Theatre is looked after by Spl DG HQ (Western Command) at [[Chandigarh]]. Field Formations in BSF are headed by an Inspector General (IG) and are known as Frontiers Headquarters (Ftr HQ). There is 13 such Frontier under which Sector Headquarters (SHQ) function headed by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) each. Each SHQ has under its command, 4–5 infantry battalions, along with attachments of artillery, air and water wings. Presently 186 battalions are sanctioned to BSF. Five major training institutions and ten Subsidiary Training Centres (STCs) are imparting ab-initio as well as in-service training to its ranks and other CPOs/SPOs including IPS Probationers.

BSF is the only Central Armed Police Force to have its own Air Wing and artillery regiment, and besides [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police|ITBP]] to have a Water Wing. All these specialised wings support the General Duty Battalions in their operations. The Financial Adviser of the BSF has been an [[Indian Revenue Service]] officer of the rank of Joint Secretary and also has Dy Advisers from the [[Indian Audit and Accounts Service]], [[Indian Civil Accounts Service|Indian Civil Account Service]] and [[Indian Defence Accounts Service|Indian Defence Account Service]].

The BSF also has a national level school for the breeding and training of dogs. Dogs from other CPOs and State Police are sent to National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) to be trained in infantry patrol, detection of explosives, tracking and the like.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-09-13 |title=National Training Centre For Dogs... where pooches get trained! |url=https://www.dogsandpupsmagazine.com/national-training-centre-for-dogs/ |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=Dogs and Pups Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

The BSF maintains a Tear Smoke Unit (TSU), which is unique in India. The TSU is responsible for producing [[tear gas]] munitions required for the [[Riot police|Anti-Riot]] Forces. It also exports a substantial quantity to other countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Rakesh K |date=3 October 2014 |title=BSF's tear smoke unit on automation drive |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2014/india/bsfs-tear-smoke-unit-on-automation-drive.html |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=The Pioneer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BSF tear gas unit cries out for government attention |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/apr/16tears.htm |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=Rediff}}</ref>

Three battalions of the BSF, located at [[Kolkata]], [[Guwahati]], and [[Patna]], are designated as the [[National Disaster Response Force]] (NDRF). Each battalion maintains 18 self-contained specialist [[search and rescue]] teams of 45 personnel each, including engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads and medics and paramedics. The establishment of each battalion is 1,158 personnel. The NDRF is a multi-disciplinary, multi-skilled, high-tech force for all types of disasters and can deploy to disasters by air, sea, and land. These battalions are equipped and trained for all natural disasters including combating [[CBRN defense|Chemical, Biological Radiological, and Nuclear]] (CBRN) disasters.

Since 2014, as a part of modernisation, BSF also started installing [[Infrared|infra-red]], [[Thermographic camera|thermal imagers]], [[aerostat]]s for [[aerial surveillance]], ground sensors, [[radar]]s, [[Sonar|sonar systems]] to secure riverine borders, fibre-optic sensor and laser beam intrusion detection systems on specific sections of border with [[Pakistan]] and [[Bangladesh]]. These Hi-tech systems are installed in areas where barbed wire fencing could not be installed due to treacherous terrain or marshy riverine topography. The largest section of this system is located at [[Dhubri]], [[Assam]], where [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra river]] enters Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 March 2019 |title=Union Home Minister launches Smart Fencing on International border, an effective deterrence against illegal infiltration |url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1567516 |access-date=5 March 2019 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=13 July 2018 |title=Dozen laser walls activated along Indo-Pak border |publisher=Economic Times |agency=PTI |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/dozen-laser-walls-activated-along-indo-pak-border/articleshow/52013678.cms |access-date=13 July 2018}}</ref>

=== ORBAT ===
*Western Command, Chandigarh	
**Gujarat Frontier, [[Gandhinagar]]
***Barmer Sector
***Gandhinagar Sector
***Bhuj Sector,
**Rajasthan Frontier, [[Jodhpur]]
***Jaisalmer (South)Sector
***Jaisalmer (North) Sector
***Bikaner Sector
***Ganganagar Sector
**Punjab Frontier, [[Jalandhar]]
***Ferozepur Sector
***Amritsar Sector
***Gurdaspur Sector
**Jammu Frontier, [[Jammu]]
***Jammu Sector
***Sunderbani Sector
***Rajauri Sector
***I/Nagar Sector
**Kashmir Frontier, Humhama
***Srinagar Sector
***Baramulla Sector
***Bandipore Sector
***Kupwara Sector
*Eastern Command, [[Kolkata]]	
**South Bengal Frontier,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sb.bsf.gov.in|title=sb.bsf.gov.in|access-date=11 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120111944/http://sb.bsf.gov.in/|archive-date=20 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Kolkata
**North Bengal Frontier, [[Kadamtala]]
**Meghalaya Frontier
***SHQ [[Shillong]] (at Mawpat)
***SHQ Tura
**Tripura Frontier, Agartala
**Mizoram & Cachar Frontier, Masimpur
***Aizawl Sector
***Cachar Sector
***CI Ops Manipur
**Assam Frontier, Guwahati
**FTR HQ (spl ops)Odisha
*SHQ Koraput
*SHQ Malkanagiri

=== Special Detachments ===
====Creek Crocodile====
The Creek Crocodile is the specialised [[commando]] unit of BSF. Primary objective of this unit is to act as [[Quick reaction force]] and  prevent smuggling&nbsp;and infiltration by unwanted elements. The unit is specifically deployed at [[Indus River Delta|Indus River Estuaries in Gujarat]] and [[Sir Creek]]. It was raised in 2009.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news |date=27 November 2009 |title=New force of BSF to man hostile creeks along Indo-Pak border |work=The Hindu |agency=PTI |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/New-force-of-BSF-to-man-hostile-creeks-along-Indo-Pak-border/article16894470.ece/ |access-date=27 November 2009}}</ref> The base of operations of this unit is located at [[Koteshwar, Kutch|Koteshwar]] outpost of BSF.<ref name="thehindu.com"/> They are equipped with [[All-terrain vehicle|All-Terrain Vehicles]] (ATV) and [[Patrol boat|fast patrol boats]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2017 |title=Smart border management: Indian coastal and maritime security |url=https://www.pwc.in/assets/pdfs/publications/2017/smart-border-management-indian-coastal-and-maritime-security.pdf |publisher=PricewaterhouseCoopers, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)}}</ref>

====Camel Contingent====
[[File:Soldiers parade on camelback during the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, India.jpg|thumb|Camel contingent during a parade]]
BSF Camel Contingent is a specialised battalion-size [[Camel cavalry|Camelry]] Unit which has its roots in [[Bikaner Camel Corps]]. The primary purpose of this unit is to patrol the desert section of the border with Pakistan. This unit has a strength of 1,200 camels and 800 riders. Both camels as well as rientre located at  BSF Frontier Headquarters in [[Jodhpur]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Menon |first=Aparna |date=December 2015 |title=Did you know The Border Security Force has a camel band? Here's all about BSF and Its Camels. |url=https://thebetterindia.com/39521/border-security-force-bsf-camelry-camel-band/ |access-date=1 December 2015 |publisher=The Better India}}</ref>

However, with force modernisation pacing up, BSF has equipped its formation across the western border with All-Terrain Vehicles and other specialised apparatus.

== Rank structure ==
;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/India (BSF)}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=1| [[Police ranks and insignia of India|'''Police equivalent''']]
| colspan=4| 
| style="vertical-align:top;" colspan=2 rowspan=1 |
{| style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"
| Director General of Police 
| Director General (Level 16)
| Additional<br>Director General
|}
| colspan=2| Inspector General (IG)
| colspan=2| Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
| colspan=2| Senior Superintendent (SSP) 
| colspan=2| Superintendent of Police (SP)
| colspan=2| Additional Superintendent (Addl.SP)
| colspan=2| Assistant/Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP)
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=1| [[Indian Army ranks and insignia|'''Army equivalent''']]
| colspan=4| 
| style="vertical-align:top;" colspan=2 rowspan=1 |
{| style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"
| Lieutenant general<br>(Level 17)
| Lieutenant general<br>(Level 16)
| Lieutenant general<br>(Level 15)
|}
| colspan=2| Major general
| colspan=2| Brigadier
| colspan=2| Colonel
| colspan=2| Lieutenant colonel
| colspan=2| Major
| colspan=2| Captain
|}

;Personnel Below Officer Rank 
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Indian forces/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/India (BSF)}}
|}

== Equipment ==
All the equipment including the uniforms, weapons, ammunition, vehicles such as the bullet proof vehicles, troop carriers, logistics vehicles, mine protected vehicles are manufactured indigenously at the [[Indian Ordnance Factories]] under control of the [[Ordnance Factories Board]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/index.php?wh=inbrief&lang=en|title=Indian Ordnance Factories: OFB in Brief|access-date=11 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208041642/http://ofbindia.gov.in/index.php?wh=inbrief&lang=en|archive-date=8 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Drone and anti-drone equipment is an upcoming acquisition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chandra |first=Girish |date=2020-08-23 |title=BSF To Get 436 Drones & New Anti-Drone Systems |url=https://www.defencexp.com/bsf-to-get-436-drones-new-anti-drone-systems/ |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=DefenceXP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=24 January 2022 |title=BSF To Procure 'Anti Drone Guns' To Counter Pak Drones |url=https://www.pratidintime.com/national/bsf-to-procure-anti-drone-guns-to-counter-pak-drones |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=Pratidin Time}}</ref>
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries to this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->{| class="wikitable" width="100%" border="0"
! width="25%" |Name
! width="25%" |Country of origin
! width="25%" |Type
|-
|[[Pistol Auto 9mm 1A|Pistol Auto 9 mm 1A]]
|{{Flag|India}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
|-
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|{{Flag|Austria}}
|-
|[[Beretta Cx4 Storm|Beretta Mx4 Storm]]
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| rowspan="2" |[[Submachine gun]]
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch MP5]]
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|-
|[[AKM]]
|{{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| rowspan="3" |[[Assault rifle]]
|-
|[[INSAS]]
|{{Flag|India}}
|-
|[[IWI Tavor|IWI TAR-21]]
|{{Flag|Israel}}
|-
|[[Degtyaryov machine gun|INSAS LMG]]
|{{Flag|India}}
| rowspan="5" |[[Machine gun]]
|-
|[[Degtyaryov machine gun|FN MAG]]
|{{Flag|Belgium}}
|-
|[[NSV machine gun|NSV]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|-
|[[Bren light machine gun|Bren]] 
|{{Flag|India}}
|-
|[[UK vz. 59|vz.59]]
|{{flag|Czechoslovakia}}
|-
|[[Vidhwansak]]<ref>{{cite news |date=15 February 2008 |title=Anti-material rifle handed over to BSF |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/15/stories/2008021553770500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626012226/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/15/stories/2008021553770500.htm |archive-date=26 June 2010 |access-date=13 October 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|{{Flag|India}}
| rowspan="4" |[[Sniper rifle]]
|-
|[[Barrett M82]]
|{{Flag|United States}}
|-
|[[Steyr SSG 69]]
|{{Flag|Austria}}
|-
|[[FN FAL]]
|{{Flag|Belgium}}
|-
|[[Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle]]
|{{Flag|Sweden}}
| rowspan="4" |[[Rocket launcher]]
|-
|[[AGS-30]]
|{{Flag|Russia}}
|-
|[[Milkor MGL]] 
|{{Flag|South Africa}}
|-
|[[ARDE Under Barrel Grenade Launcher]]
|{{Flag|India}}
|}
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| header_align      = center
| width             = 200
| image1            = FN MAG MMG BSF, India (1).JPG
| image2            = FN MAG MMG BSF, India (2).JPG
| footer            = [[FN MAG]] medium machine gun
}}

[[File:Japanese 20th Infantry Regiment man Carl Gustav at training exericse.jpg|thumb|[[Carl Gustav recoilless rifle]]]]
* [[Carl Gustav recoilless rifle|Carl Gustav]] 84&nbsp;mm recoilless rifles

=== Artillery ===
* 51&nbsp;mm Mortar
* 81&nbsp;mm Mortar 
* 120&nbsp;mm Mortar
* Advance Air defence Avni Gun 
* [[Indian Field Gun|105&nbsp;mm Indian Field Gun]]

=== Armoured ===
* [[Mahindra Rakshak]] military light utility vehicle 
* [[Ordnance Factory Board Mine Protected Vehicle|OFD Mine Protected Vehicle]]
* [[Tata 407]] Armoured Variant 
* [[Maruti Gypsy]] Armoured Variant
* [[Mahindra Bolero]] Armoured Variant
* [[Mahindra Bolero Neo]] Armoured Variant
* Armoured Agricultural Tractors <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amarujala.com/jammu/bsf-run-armoured-tractors-for-farming-after-18-years-on-the-border | title=Jammu Kashmir News: सीमा पर 18 साल बाद हुई खेती, बीएसएफ ने चलाए बख्तरबंद ट्रैक्टर }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-bsf-jawans-are-making-barren-land-on-border-to-agriculture-land-with-armored-tractors-19796776.html | title=सरहद की निगरानी के साथ किसानी भी बख्तरबंद ट्रैक्टर पर बंजर भूमि को कृषि योग्य बना रहे बीएसएफ जवान - BSF jawans are making barren land on border to agriculture land with armored tractors }}</ref>


=== Aircraft ===
The aircraft fleet are distributed to different air wings at air bases of [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]] or [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]]. This includes 1 Fixed Wing (HS748, ERJ135BJ) at [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Palam AFS]] and 5 Rotary Wings (Mi-17, Dhruv) at [[Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport|Agartala AFS]], [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Mountain Shadow AFS]], [[Swami Vivekananda Airport|Raipur Airport]], [[Birsa Munda Airport|Ranchi Airport]], and [[Srinagar Airport|Srinagar AFS]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orbats |url=https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/india/india-border-security-force |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=www.scramble.nl}}</ref>
* [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] - 01
* [[Embraer 135|Embraer 135 BJ]] - 01
* [[Mi-17|Mi-17 V5 Helicopter]] - 08
* [[Mi-17|Mi-17 1V Helicopter]]  - 06
* [[HAL Dhruv]] - 06
* [[HAL Cheetah]] - 01

=== MANPADS ===
* [[SA-16 Gimlet]]
* [[SA-7 Grail]]

=== Watercraft ===

* Floating Border Out-Post - 03
* See [[Border Security Force (Water Wing)|BSF (Water Wing)]]

== Criticism and controversy ==
=== Canadian controversy ===
In 2010, some Canadian visa officials rejected the immigration application of a retired BSF soldier Fateh Singh Pandher, terming BSF a "notoriously violent paramilitary unit engaged in systematic attacks on civilians and responsible for torturing suspected criminals." This accusation did not go down well with the Indian government. The Indian External Affairs Ministry was asked by the Home minister to take up the issue with Canada.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Canada-calls-BSF-a-violent-paramilitary-unit/H1-Article1-546685.aspx |title=Canada calls BSF a 'violent paramilitary unit' |date=21 May 2010 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=21 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524052010/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Canada-calls-BSF-a-violent-paramilitary-unit/H1-Article1-546685.aspx |archive-date=24 May 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Terming-BSF-notoriously-violent-Canada-rejects-ex-constables-visa/article16303160.ece|title=Terming BSF|first=Vinay|last=Kumar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008160348/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Terming-BSF-notoriously-violent-Canada-rejects-ex-constables-visa/article16303160.ece|archive-date=8 October 2017|df=dmy-all|newspaper=The Hindu|date=22 May 2010}}</ref> The Home ministry of India, as well as the Indian public in general and several of India's political parties, expressed outrage at this attack and called Canada's actions [[Indophobia|discriminatory]] and spurious, and denounced their charges against the BSF as baseless and unproven. The Indian government threatened diplomatic retaliation unless Canada withdrew their allegations. The Canadian government did not respond immediately.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canada Visa Application |url=https://etacanadaonline.com/ |work=[[Times of India]] |access-date=29 May 2010 |date=28 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222081713/https://etacanadaonline.com/ |archive-date=22 December 2016 }}</ref> It was speculated that diplomatic retaliation from India will consist of banning Canadians going to participate the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] if they are doing so through India. Public outrage in India prompted Canadian authorities to express "great respect for [[Indian Armed Forces|India's armed forces]] and related institutions."<ref>{{cite news |title= We have great respect for Indias armed forces -Canada |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/We-have-great-respect-for-Indias-armed-forces-Canada/articleshow/5961366.cms|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121103212451/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-22/india/28310027_1_notoriously-violent-force-india-canada-canadian-high-commission|url-status= live|archive-date= 3 November 2012|access-date=29 May 2010 |work= [[The Times of India]] |date=22 May 2010}}</ref> Subsequently, India's [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]] summoned Canadian High Commissioner [[Joseph Caron]] and demanded that "the blatant discrimination against Indian security agencies" cease.<ref>{{cite news |title=Visa row, India warns Canada of retaliation |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/visa-row-india-warns-canada-of-retaliation/116382-3.html?from=tn |publisher=[[CNN-IBN]] |access-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013135743/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/visa-row-india-warns-canada-of-retaliation/116382-3.html?from=tn |archive-date=13 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> India's Minister of External Affairs, [[SM Krishna]], condemned Canada's actions and has expressed pride in the accomplishments of the BSF.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71865/visa-row-india-warns-canada.html |title=Visa Row, India warns Canada |publisher=Deccanherald.com |access-date=21 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017082402/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71865/visa-row-india-warns-canada.html |archive-date=17 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Following complaints made by the Indian government and criticism of Canada's actions against India, the [[Harper government]] retracted their earlier accusations against BSF security officials. Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, [[Jason Kenney]], termed as "unfortunate" the incidents involving use of "foul language by the [[Canadian High Commission]] in [[visa (document)|visa]] rejection letters to some individuals," Kenney said, "This language, or the inaccurate impression it has created, in no way reflects the policy or position of the [[Government of Canada]]."<ref>
{{cite news
 |title=Canada regrets language used by its officials in visa letters
 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/bline/blnus/10281470.htm
 |publisher=[[Business Line|The Hindu Business Line]]
 |access-date=29 May 2010
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317183841/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/bline/blnus/10281470.htm
 |archive-date=17 March 2014
 |df=dmy
}}</ref>

=== Bangladesh border killings ===
According to the Bangladeshi government, 136 civilians were killed and a further 170 others suffered injuries in 2009. The Indian government has said that 67 were killed and 80 injured in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=179091|title=BSF killed 136 Bangladeshis since 2009|access-date=11 November 2014|date=25 March 2011}}</ref> The Bangladesh government and Bangladeshi organizations protested heavily against these alleged killings. Media reports claim that in August 2008, Indian BSF officials admitted that they killed 59 persons (34 Bangladeshis, 21 Indians, rest unidentified) who were trying to cross the border illegally during the prior six months.<ref name="bsf killing">[http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-35156020080824 India says 59 killed over last six months on Bangladesh border] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026110404/http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-35156020080824 |date=26 October 2008 }}, Reuters, 24 August 2008.</ref> Indian media claimed that, in 2001, [[Border Guards Bangladesh|Bangladesh Rifles]] ambushed and killed 16 BSF soldiers while they were chasing some Bangladeshi smugglers back into the Bangladesh. Since then, the BSF has been compelled to act tough against Bangladeshi illegals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/20/fortress_india|title=Fortress India – By Scott Carney, Jason Miklian, and Kristian Hoelscher|publisher=Foreign Policy|access-date=21 March 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328064739/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/20/fortress_india|archive-date=28 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> There was perceived retaliation by the BSF but was averted after Home Ministers of both countries had talks on the issue.

In July 2009 [[Channel 4 News]] reported that apparently "hundreds" of Bangladeshis and Indians are indiscriminately killed by the BSF along the [[Indo-Bangladeshi Barrier]]. The BSF claims that the barrier's main purpose is to check [[Illegal immigration in India|illegal immigration to India]], and prevent [[Terrorism in India|cross-border terrorism]] from [[Islamist]]s.<ref name="India-Bangladesh 'security' fence">{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/indiabangladesh+apossecurityapos+fence/3281357|title=Channel 4 News|date=24 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228183555/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/indiabangladesh+apossecurityapos+fence/3281357|archive-date=28 December 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Bangladeshi media accused the BSF of abducting 5 Bangladeshi children, aged between 8 and 15, from the [[Haripur Upazila]] in [[Thakurgaon District]] of Bangladesh, in 2010. The children were setting fishing nets near the border.<ref name="dstar">{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=148029|title=BSF abducts 5 children from border|date=24 July 2010|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=24 July 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726180826/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=148029|archive-date=26 July 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2010, [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) issued an 81-page report which alleged "over 900 of abuses by the BSF" in the first decade of the 21st century. The report was compiled from interviews with victims of BSF shootings, witnesses and members of the BSF and its [[Border Guards Bangladesh|Bangladeshi counterpart]]. According to HRW, while most of them were killed when they crossed into Indian territory for indulging in [[cattle raiding]] or other [[smuggling]] activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/12/06/indiabangladesh-indiscriminate-killings-abuse-border-officers|title=India/Bangladesh: Indiscriminate Killings, Abuse by Border Officers|work=[[Human Rights Watch]]|access-date=21 January 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123104243/http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/12/06/indiabangladesh-indiscriminate-killings-abuse-border-officers|archive-date=23 January 2011|df=dmy-all|date=9 December 2010}}</ref>

In February 2012, the BSF website was hacked by Bangladeshi hackers in retaliation. The hackers later shared the news in the internet and also in the other social sites where they claimed to have defaced the sites asking the BSF to stop killing Bangladeshis at border. The site became normal sometime on 15 February 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bangladesh-group-hacks-BSF-website-to-avenge-border-killings/articleshow/11892684.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510112352/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-15/india/31062663_1_pakistani-hackers-indian-websites-indian-hackers|url-status=live|archive-date=10 May 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Bangladesh group hacks BSF website to 'avenge border killings'|date=15 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/south/20000-indian-websites-come-under-attack-bangladesh-hackers-999 |title=20,000 Indian websites come under attack from Bangladesh hackers |access-date=2012-03-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229224318/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/south/20000-indian-websites-come-under-attack-bangladesh-hackers-999 |archive-date=29 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=সীমান্তে বিএসএফ আগ্রাসন : বাংলাদেশী নাগরিকদের নির্বিচারে হত্যা ও গুম|access-date=11 November 2014|url=http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2013/01/02/180831#.UOYNVORLWX11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111040807/http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2013/01/02/180831#.UOYNVORLWX11|archive-date=11 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2013/01/03/181008#.UOYN4ORLWX0|title=বেপরোয়া বিএসএফ : ২৪ ঘণ্টার ব্যবধানে চাঁপাই সীমান্তে আরও দুই বাংলাদেশীকে হত্যা|publisher=আমার দেশ|access-date=11 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111042741/http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2013/01/03/181008#.UOYN4ORLWX0|archive-date=11 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Challenges ==
=== Working conditions ===
Working conditions of the BSF have been questioned.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2017 |editor-last=Kumar |editor-first=Manan |title=Need for better living conditions for BSF jawans |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-need-for-better-living-conditions-for-bsf-jawans-2402525 |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> "[[Zero-defects mentality|Zero Error Syndrome]]" adds stress.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 February 2015 |title='Job stress leading BSF men to sleep-deprived nomadic life' |work=The Economic Times |agency=PTI |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/job-stress-leading-bsf-men-to-sleep-deprived-nomadic-life/articleshow/46161877.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-03-06}}</ref> A home ministry standing committee report on the "Working Conditions in Border Guarding Forces" was published in December 2018, it was chaired by [[P. Chidambaram]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2018 |title=Working Conditions in Border Guarding Forces. Standing Committee Report Summary. |url=https://prsindia.org/policy/report-summaries/working-conditions-in-border-guarding-forces |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=[[PRS Legislative Research]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2018 |title=Working Conditions in Border Guarding Forces (Assam Rifles, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Border Security Force) |url=https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/Committee_site/Committee_File/ReportFile/15/107/214_2018_12_15.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303080132/https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/Committee_site/Committee_File/ReportFile/15/107/214_2018_12_15.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2022 |publisher=Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi}}</ref>

=== Health ===
Health of employees remains a challenge, and given the numbers of the force, more employees, as compared to operational deaths, die of diseases, illness; and mental health issues have also been raised and addressed by the force.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-21 |agency=PTI |title=More BSF men dying of mental illness, lifestyle diseases rather than operations |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/more-bsf-men-dying-of-mental-illness-lifestyle-diseases-rather-than-operations/story-T5mlsZKTUVNy98BLpJXb2O.html |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shreyas |first=Ananth |date=May 16, 2018 |title=BSF makes mental well-being tests and training mandatory for its personnel; here's why |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/bsf-makes-mental-well-being-tests-and-training-mandatory-for-its-personnel-heres-why/1170061/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Kamaljit |date=March 22, 2017 |title=BSF meet addresses mental health, well-being issues of soldiers |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/bsf-crpf-soldiers-mental-health-yoga-lifestyle-diseases-966898-2017-03-22 |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== In Media ==
* BSF has appeared in ''[[National Geographic (Indian TV channel)|National Geographic]]'' channel's documentary BSF : The first line of defence.<ref>{{Citation |title=BSF: India's First Line of Defence |url=https://www.betaseries.com/en/movie/47621-bsf-indias-first-line-of-defence |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BSF... |url=https://www.hotstar.com/in/movies/bsf-indias-first-line-of-defence/1000082949&ved=2ahUKEwiH3c2n_aD9AhX18DgGHWInB9oQwqsBegQIDxAD&usg=AOvVaw3V1bX-GE_iaBj8ioLWSrP3 |access-date=19 February 2023 |website=Hotstar}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Assam Rifles]]
* [[Border Security Force (Water Wing)]]
* [[Central Industrial Security Force]]
* [[Central Reserve Police Force]]
* [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]]
* [[Sashastra Seema Bal]]
* [[Border Security Force (football team)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{External links|date=June 2022|section}}{{Commons category|Border Security Force}}
* {{Official website|http://bsf.nic.in/}}
* [https://www.indjob24.in/search/label/Indian%20Army?m=1]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071226025726/http://www.india-defence.com/military/bordersecurityforce Border Security Force at India Defence]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070122103827/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE3-2/lns.html CI operations in Jammu and Kashmir]
* [http://www.tearsmoke.org/ Tear Smoke Unit]

{{Home Ministry (India)}}
{{Border guards}}
{{Law enforcement agencies of India}}
{{India topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1965 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Border guarding forces of India]]
[[Category:Central Armed Police Forces of India]]
[[Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1965]]