Chandigarh, April 24 – After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Punjab government has also decided to recruit 5500 personnel in the border wing of the Punjab Home Guards to strengthen the second line of security on its more than five hundred kilometer long border. The decision in this regard was taken today in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at his official residence.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to establish an effective second line of defense to prevent the nefarious designs of hostile forces towards the state in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir). He said that to increase the security cover in Punjab, 5500 personnel in the border wing of the Punjab Police will be deployed in seven border districts of the state.
The Chief Minister said that this proposal to set up a second security line behind the BSF will help in catching any elements escaping the BSF's trap on the international border. He said that considering the magnitude of this task, the state government will need support from the Centre, for which he will soon meet the Union Home Minister. He said that the state has the manpower, courage and capability and will approach the Government of India for additional resources. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Police has the will, experience and professional ability to stop any kind of attack, even if it is in disguise. The Chief Minister said that in addition to these 5500 Home Guard personnel, more than 400 more personnel will be recruited across the state. He said that these personnel will be deployed in the Road Safety Force, State Disaster Relief Force and other forces. He said that this is very important to ensure the safety of the people and provide jobs to the youth.