Hans News Service Lucknow

UnionMinister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday lauded the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) for its commendable role in securing the approximately 2,450-km international borders with Nepal and Bhutan and strengthening border management through modern technology.

Addressing a programme at the SSB headquarters in Lucknow during his visit to Uttar Pradesh, Bandi Sanjay said the force was enhancing its operational capabilities through drones, CCTV surveillance systems, thermal imagers, night-vision devices, GPS-based patrolling, secure digital communication and GIS-based planning.

The Union Minister inaugurated newly constructed barracks, a subordinate officers’ mess and residential buildings of the SSB’s 4th Battalion at Mohanlal Ganj in Gomtinagar. He also laid the foundation stone online for the Regional Headquarters, Training Centre and Joint Hospital in Gorakhpur and the 22nd Battalion in Maharajganj. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 191 crore for the construction works.

Bandi Sanjay said the new facilities reflected the government’s commitment to the welfare of Central Armed Police Forces personnel and their families. He said providing jawans with safe, dignified and comfortable living conditions would enable them to concentrate fully on border security and national service.

He noted that the SSB was taking stringent action against organised crimes along the borders, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, illegal migration, counterfeit currency and wildlife smuggling.

Highlighting emerging security challenges, he said criminals and anti-national forces were increasingly using drones, cyber channels and digital communication, making technology-driven security systems essential.

The minister also praised the SSB’s disaster-response role, noting that its 18 relief and rescue teams remain prepared to respond to floods, earthquakes and landslides. He appreciated the force’s outreach programmes, including medical camps, educational assistance, skill development, sports, women’s empowerment and awareness initiatives, saying these helped build trust between security personnel and border communities.

Paying tribute to SSB personnel who sacrificed their lives, Bandi Sanjay said 51 personnel had laid down their lives in border and internal security operations since the force’s inception. He conveyed his respect and condolences to their families.

He said the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, remained committed to modernising the CAPFs, upgrading training and technology, and improving medical, housing, mess, education and sports facilities for jawans and their families.