Context: This article is based on an Editorial Spotlighting another border point, the rogue channel from The Hindu which explores the role of Border Security Force at Harami Nala. 

Why in NEWS: 

In early August this year, for the very first time, any Indian Union Home Minister visited “Harami Nala”.  He also visited the Border Observation Posts (BOPs) of the Border Security Force (BSF) in that sector in the Sir Creek area of Kutch, Gujarat, along the India-Pakistan international border. This article assesses security measures at Harami Nala on the Pakistan border. 

Border Security Force Faces Challenges in Securing Harami Nala Due to Rich Fishing Resources

Harami Nala, a 25-kilometer-long water body flowing from Pakistan to Kutch, poses challenges for surveillance due to rich prawn fishing, harsh marshy terrain, and scorching temperatures. Cross-border issues and a lack of infrastructure once hindered BSF patrols on the Indian side. Major Challenges are listed below – 

• Harami Nala: A natural water body, approximately 25 kilometers long, flows west to east from Pakistan into Kutch, flanked by vast marshy mud flats that are affected by low and high tides. 
  • It is extremely rich in fishing, especially prawns which create difficulty for Border Security Force (BSF) during surveillance.

• • The Border’s Harshest Terrain: One of the most inhospitable places along the border. 
    • The formidable marshy terrain through which it runs makes it impossible to approach or patrol on foot even during low tide. 
    • Treacherous tides, morass and mirages are matched by scorching temperatures (above 50° Celsius) in summer.
  • Cross-Border Troubles: It has also been at the center of cross-border mischief and exploitation by infiltrators.
    • Earlier the entry point of the Harami Nala on the Indian side could not be approached by the BSF personnel due to a lack of infrastructure. 

Border Security Force Enhancements: Steps taken for Better Surveillance:

India has been rapidly building composite Border Outposts (BOPs) along the border, including Creek and Harami Nala. They’ve improved mobility with all-terrain vehicles, used speed boats to deter Pakistani fishing boats, and enhanced infrastructure to reduce infiltration. Step taken by Border Security force to enhance Border security are –   

• Creation of Composite BOPs by Border Security Force: In the past few years, India has speeded up the creation of composite BOPs all along the border, including in the Creek and Harami Nala area. 
  • A modern composite BOP 1175 was constructed in 2016 and BOP 1170 in 2022. 
• Use of Terrain Vehicles (ATVs): A set of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) were procured from Italy and stationed at border pillar 1175 helped in improving the situation and mobility of the border security force personnel. 
• Use of Speed boats: It prevents high ingress by Pakistani fishing boats.
• Better Infrastructure: The construction of embankments and road infrastructure along the “vertical line” of the International Boundary (IB) have enabled the new observation posts to come up between border pillars 1164 and 1153 in a manner that infiltration can be reduced in the early stages at the entry points along the IB by Border security force. 
• Mooring Place Project: The Home Minister laid the foundation stone for a mooring place at Koteshwar in Kutch. 
  • The Mooring Place project, with an allocated budget of ₹257 crore, will make a huge difference by allowing berthing, repairs and maintenance for bigger vessels, including the floating BOPs, thus bolstering the Border Security Force capabilities in the Creek area.
• Link Road and Tower: He also inaugurated the newly constructed Chidiyamod-Biarbet Link Road and OP Tower in the Harami Nala area. 
  • He had inaugurated a 9.5 meter tall observation post tower equipped with high resolution pan-tilt-zoom cameras, to bolster intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Conclusion 

• To enhance security at Harami Nala, Border security Force should continue improving infrastructure, deploy modern equipment, and cooperate with Pakistan for better cross-border management.