The Border Security Force (BSF) is about to receive final government approval to raise 16 new battalions, adding around 17,000 new soldiers. Additionally, the BSF will set up two forward headquarters to oversee operations along the western and eastern borders, which are with Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively.

The plan has already received preliminary approval and is expected to be officially confirmed soon. Once approved, it will greatly strengthen the Border Security Force (BSF). This comes at a critical time, as the BSF is increasing its vigilance along the eastern border due to political changes in Bangladesh, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, as well as facing new challenges on the western border after the tragic Pahalgam massacre on April 22. The BSF is expected to get final approval to raise 16 new battalions, which will be gradually set up over the next few years, according to sources in the security sector. The final approvals for the project, including clearance from the Union finance ministry, are still awaited but should be granted soon, according to sources.

Currently, the BSF has 193 battalions deployed along the borders. Each battalion consists of more than 1,000 personnel. The addition of 16 new battalions will increase the force's strength by approximately 17,000 soldiers. These new battalions are expected to enhance the BSF’s core responsibility of securing the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, as outlined in a plan being developed by the force. Additionally, it has been confirmed that the Union Home Ministry has given the green light for the establishment of two new field command bases for the BSF.

“One sector will come up in Jammu to strengthen security along the India-Pakistan International Border in Jammu and Punjab and the second will be based in Mizoram for better surveillance of the Bangladesh border”, they said. The Border Security Force (BSF) currently has sectors in the Jammu region, which are led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG). These sectors are located in Rajouri, Sunderbani, Jammu and Indreshwar Nagar. For the Mizoram and Cachar frontier, headquartered in Assam, the BSF operates sectors in Silchar, Aizawl, and one in Manipur.

In the coming years, the BSF plans to recruit both men and women for new battalions, with training to follow. These units will be gradually formed over the next five to six years. According to officials, the BSF, which presently employs 2.70 lakh people, proposed to the Home Ministry a number of years ago to create 20–21 additional battalions. In addition to its engagement in anti-Naxal operations, this request was motivated by "the fast-changing security dynamics, profile of the terrain, and related issues" in its principal job of securing the borders of Bangladesh and Pakistan. They said that the administration had finally agreed to raise 16 more battalions.

The Border Security Force (BSF) currently has sectors in the Jammu region, which are led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG). These sectors are located in Rajouri, Sunderbani, Jammu, and Indreshwar Nagar. For the Mizoram and Cachar frontier, headquartered in Assam, the BSF operates sectors in Silchar, Aizawl, and one in Manipur.

In the coming years, the BSF plans to recruit both men and women for new battalions, with training to follow. These units will be gradually formed over the next five to six years. The Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for securing a total of 6,726 kilometers along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders. This includes 2,290 kilometers along the International Border with Pakistan, 339 kilometers along the Line of Control (LoC), and 4,097 kilometers along the border with Bangladesh. However, about 1,047 kilometers of these borders remain unfenced due to challenging river and jungle terrains. The BSF has set up 1,760 border posts along these two frontiers to maintain security.