Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In an unprecedented and swift action, the Centre on Friday removed Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Nitin Agrawal and his deputy Special DG (West) YB Khurania from their positions, sending them back to their state cadres “with immediate effect,” as per a government order.
Nitin Agrawal, a 1989-batch Kerala cadre officer, and YB Khurania, a 1990-batch Odisha cadre officer, faced this unexpected repatriation due to significant security concerns. Agrawal had assumed the role of BSF chief in June of last year, while Khurania, as the special DG (West), oversaw the force’s operations along the Pakistan border.
Separate orders from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet indicated their “premature” repatriation, a move sources attribute to constant infiltration issues along the International Border. There have been complaints regarding the BSF chief’s alleged lack of coordination and effective command, contributing to his removal.
A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted, “Lack of command and control within the force and lack of coordination with other sister agencies led to his repatriation.” The officer emphasized that this decisive action sends a strong message from the government to the forces to enhance their operational efficiency. “In light of heightened actions south of Pir Panjal, where the BSF controls a significant portion of the International Boundary, the responsibility ultimately lies with the DG and Special DG BSF,” the officer added.
This marked the first instance of accountability being enforced in terror-related cases, contrasting with the aftermath of the Pulwama attack in 2019, where no similar actions were taken by the Home Ministry.
The BSF, with approximately 2.65 lakh personnel, is responsible for guarding India’s borders with Pakistan in the west and Bangladesh in the east. The government’s decision coincides with the rollout of a new security strategy for Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at countering recent attacks on civilians, military personnel, and camps by terrorists. This includes an attack on an army camp in Rajouri last week, which resulted in injuries to a soldier.
Over the past two months, there has been a notable increase in attacks and ambushes, particularly in the southern regions of Pir Panjal, an area that had experienced a lull in terrorist activities. Recent operations in this region resulted in the deaths of two army officers and the elimination of two Pakistani terrorists, including a Lashkar-e-Taiba sniper and explosives expert.
