Issue of withdrawal of AFSPA complex question: UK Bansal

The BSF, which is entrusted with security-related duties in Jammu and Kashmir, today said the issue of withdrawal of the AFSPA from the state is a very complex question and will not yield a very simplistic solution.

Talking to reporters after taking over as the new Director General of BSF, senior IPS officer UK Bansal said an appropriate decision on the issue will be taken by the government in the larger interest of the country.

The issue of removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from J&K is "a very complex question and it will obviously not yield a very simplistic solution," he said.

"All I can say is that an appropriate decision would be taken by the government in the larger interest of the country and the region which is being discussed and BSF will implement it," Bansal, who was Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs prior to assuming charge as BSF chief, said.

Asked whether the force has sufficient immunity and if it works without AFSPA, he said, "AFSPA is to give cover to armed forces of the Union under some special circumstances. Since BSF is also an armed force of the Union, hence it also got a cover under it."

"BSF does not make policy. But BSF is in forefront of implementing (government) policies as regards to border guarding and border management," Bansal, a 1974 batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, said.

To a question about infiltration activities in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that our figures reveal attempts to infiltrate during the current year are down from the previous years.

"However, successful infiltration is roughly at the same level as the last year," the DG said.

About 2.22 lakh strong force guards India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan borders besides being involved in anti-Naxal operations in the country.