Akhnoor: As thick fog blankets the plains and temperatures plunge across Jammu and Kashmir, India’s border guards are bracing for heightened threats ahead of the New Year.
The Border Security Force (BSF), along with the Indian Army, has stepped up vigilance along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) to thwart any infiltration attempts under the cover of harsh winter conditions.
Security officials said intelligence inputs suggest that Pakistan may attempt to push Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists into Indian territory during the New Year period, exploiting dense fog and low visibility.
As per reports at least 80 terrorists are currently waiting at various launchpads across the border to cross over into Jammu and Kashmir this winter.
“In technical terms, the counter-infiltration grid has been strengthened and all identified gaps have been plugged,” officials said, adding that surveillance and domination along sensitive stretches have been intensified.
The reports also said Akhnoor sector along the International Border, where BSF personnel—including women soldiers—were seen maintaining a sharp vigil despite biting cold and near-zero visibility. Standing guard with unwavering focus, these women soldiers scanned the terrain relentlessly, embodying the force’s readiness in one of the most volatile border regions.
These women troopers, who earned recognition for their role during Operation Sindoor, had earlier thwarted Pakistani Rangers’ attempts to target villages in the Akhnoor sector and destroyed hostile positions across the border. Their deployment, officials said, has further sharpened the BSF’s counter-infiltration capability.
“Every Pakistani post across the border is treated as a potential terror launchpad,” a senior BSF officer remarked, underlining the threat perception during the winter months.
Dense fog, common at this time of year, severely limits visibility and increases operational challenges. To counter this, the BSF has deployed advanced thermal imagers, night-vision devices, and anti-fog surveillance systems. Patrolling, ambushes, and combing operations have also been intensified, ensuring that the border remains under constant watch even after sundown, when fences and terrain disappear into a blanket of fog.
Parallelly, along the LoC, security forces have been placed on high alert across key sectors including Gurez, Uri, Karnah, Tangdhar, and other sensitive areas in both North Kashmir and the Jammu region. The troops are maintaining strict dominance over these sectors to prevent infiltration and ceasefire violations during the holiday period.
“Troops have intensified surveillance along the LoC and are fully prepared to respond swiftly to any infiltration attempts,” a senior official said.
Border management has also seen a technological push. Smart fencing systems have been installed at critical points, while drones, quadcopters with high-resolution cameras, and night-vision capabilities are providing 24×7 aerial surveillance. Robotic surveillance devices are being used in difficult terrain to relay real-time intelligence, and bulletproof vehicles along with all-terrain transport ensure rapid troop deployment in mountainous regions.
Officials said regular training drills simulating infiltration attempts, bunker attacks, and coordinated enemy actions are conducted to keep troops battle-ready. “The safety of civilians living near the border is our top priority. Vigilance and dominance along the LoC and IB are crucial to maintaining peace,” they said.
With men and women soldiers stationed far from their families, standing guard in extreme cold and dense fog, the message from the borders is clear: while the nation prepares to welcome the New Year, its sentinels remain alert—so that citizens across Bharat can celebrate in peace.
