For the thousands of BSF jawans patrolling the nearly 300-km long border in the Rann, it is indeed a tough life.
AHMEDABAD: Braving all odds, BSF jawan Virender Singh’s watchful eyes continue to stare into the dark horizon of the India-Pakistan international border (IB). Singh is one of the many BSF (Border Security Force) jawans guarding the IB in the inhospitable terrain of the Great Rann of Kutch. While protecting the country’s international border against infiltrators, he also fights for survival against the strong forces of nature.
For the thousands of BSF jawans patrolling the nearly 300-km long border in the Rann, it is indeed a tough life. One of them said: “We’ll not abandon our land till we die. In our ‘duty unto death’, we never think ‘why’.”
“It’s obvious that the military forces are the first line of defence during a war. But one of the lesser-known facts is that life is tougher during peace for the BSF jawans. Fighting a war is easy. But fighting nature and standing tall against infiltrators in the far-off borders is a real challenge for us. The jawans have to patrol on foot and continuously be on guard, lest anyone sneaks into the country’s territory. To say the least, it is a tough job,” said deputy inspector general of BSF, Brig ND Prasad, in Bhuj.
The Great Rann of Kutch is believed to be the most inhospitable terrain after the Siachen glacier. The closest habitation is at least 80 km away and basic facilities like electricity, telephone and even a bed are often considered luxuries. The jawans work in teams of three, rotating every three hours. If any movement is spotted, they have orders to shoot at sight.
“Like Siachen, the Rann is often the jawans’ biggest enemy. April to August are the worst months when sandstorms reduce visibility to zero. Besides, wildlife like the poisonous saw-scale vipers is a big threat. Recently, a jawan was stung by the deadly snake. On the other hand, if isolated, jawans are trained to eat these very same vipers as a part of the survival strategy,” Brig Prasad said.
After the long and frosty nights comes dawn, bringing some respite as the jawans start hunting for ‘pugmarks’. “There is a 150 metres long ploughed land on either side of the IB. No development can take place here. Local experts, called ‘khojies’, look for footprints in the mud and determine the height and weight of the person or animal which may have treaded the path. Jawans also have to do housekeeping at the border outposts, including cooking, cleaning and washing,” said a senior BSF official.
BSF officers said isolation sometimes leads to psychological problems like hallucinations and depression. “One gets an off only for a month in a year and phone calls are made only on Thursdays. Mail and newspapers come thrice a week along with rations. And if an officer’s leave is not granted, it can be two years before he can get another,” said a senior officer.
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