Gujarat Land Border Security Issues Mitigation by Technology Intervention

1. Gujarat Land BorderSecurity IssuesMitigation by Technology Intervention Manoj Agarwal, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Gujarat Police September 29, 2014

2. Land Border near Sir Creek • Facts • Located in West-North-West of Kutch district of Gujarat. • 96 kms in length from the mouth of Sir Creek to Border Pillar No. 1175 • 180 Km away from Bhuj. • 50 Km away from NarayanSarovar / Koteshwar. • International border passes in the mid of Sir Creek dividing India & Pak. • Importance • Strategic defense location • To check the presence of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA)/ Pakistan Navy on hostile border. • To keep PMSA away from Indian Water. • To avoid infiltration/ undesirable movements. • To Stop direct surveillance /movement on Indian Forces. • To avoid terrorist base/camps in nearby area of border

3. Traditional Area Surveillance • Border Security Force Deployment on Land border • Patrolling in creek area by Water Wing Battalions of BSF. • Aerial survey by Helicopter / UAV/ Aircrafts. • Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are doing need base surveillance / operations from nearest location • Recently patrolling by ATV vehicles.

4. Harami Nala – Some Facts • Harami Nala – Inward Extension of Sir Creek & Kori Creek • Formed by the estuary of Indus River as it meets the Arabian Sea – Spread over 500 Sq Km • Brackish Water Creek- Easily Accessible to Fishing boats from Pakistan • Presence of Fishes makes it attractive for Fishing boats from Pakistan • Almost inaccessible from Indian Side • Harsh Operating conditions- Marshy Land, Dusty, High Temperature, No tree cover, Muddy Water, Salty Environment • Difficult to Monitor due to absence of infrastructure • Nearest habitite presence at Lakhpat- Nearly 35 kms away • Regular unverifiable inputs from Indian citizens about intrusion of Pakistani Fishing Boats in the area

5. Harami Nala - Salient Features Territory of Pakistan Harami Nala Territory of India Lakhpat Dyapar

6. Security Issues • Absence of infrastructure makes it difficult for Security Forces to verify inputs about intrusion by Pakistani Fishing Boats • Security Forces make regular sorties with manned and unmanned aircraft but unable to verify the inputs • Difficult to operate manned and unmanned aircraft in inclement weather • Ground forces unable to reach the point of intrusion due to absence of accurate and pin-point information • Rapid Deployment a difficult proposition due to absence of infrastructure • The inflitrators when apprehended would • inform that they were present in Indian • territory for last 36 hrs before being captured. • In the intervening time between information • being received and capture of fishing boats, • many events against national interest could • have happened 500 Metres Point of Interest

7. Technological Intervention • In 2009 initiative was taken by Gujarat Police to use available satellite imaging technology to pinpoint the intrusions • ISRO and BISAG were contacted for help but ready mate solution was not available. Territory of Pakistan Area of Interest Territory of India

8. Technological Intervention Contd.. • * Central Intelligence agencies helped to provide detailed Satellite imageries at frequent interval. • * The area of interest was marked where unverified inputs about intrusion were being regularly received • The area of interest data was sent to relevant satellite imaging organization of Government of India • The Satellite Imaging organization was requested to provide the imaging details on a regular basis • During the next pass of Satellite the relevant area was imaged. • The images were processed, the intruding boats were identified with their direction of movement and sent to Gujarat Police. • These precise information helped a lot to resolve the infiltration of boats in Haraminala.

9. Satellite Images Boat 1 (24.0300N, 68.7950E) Boat 2 (24.0320N, 68.8027E)

10. Satellite Images Contd.. • Some more images received Boat 4 (24.0610N, 68.7601E) Boat 3 (24.0193N, 68.7972E)

11. Mitigation and Resolution • Electronic Intelligence received regularly was then collated on a daily basis • The Intelligence inputs were passed on to the relevant organizations • A pattern of intrusion was developed based on the electronic intelligence received • The Electronic intelligence gathering was also retuned as per the developed pattern • Security Forces starts deployment based on the accurate inputs received. • Regular inputs received from Gujarat Police makes the job of on-ground forces easier • Due to regular inputs received additional Security Forces were deployed • Additional equipment and boats deployed in the Indian side of Harami Nala • Permanent Post created near Harami Nala to keep a watchful eye on intrusions and activities against national interest • Intrusions have drastically come down as per information received • The long standing intrusion problem - since independence, finally resolved due to judicious technology intervention

12. Thank You Have a nice day