Flood Washes Away India-Pakistan Border! Checkposts Deserted, No Security Personnel

Severe flooding has ravaged Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, erasing man-made borders between India and Pakistan. The Ravi River, which demarcates the border, has washed away nearly 30 kilometers of embankments, destroying barbed wire fencing. Due to the floods, checkposts on both sides of the border have been abandoned, with all essential equipment removed. This situation has naturally raised concerns about potential infiltration, with questions arising about whether intruders might take advantage of the deserted checkposts, as seen in past incidents like Kargil.

According to media reports, attempts at infiltration have already occurred in these areas due to the absence of personnel at the checkposts. Sources indicate that drug traffickers tried to exploit the unguarded border, but the Border Security Force (BSF) thwarted these attempts. BSF Punjab Frontier DIG AK Vidharti said, “In Gurdaspur alone, 30 to 40 of our checkposts have been submerged. However, our forces evacuated in time. Additionally, about 30 kilometers of embankments have been destroyed due to the floods.” Many villagers have sought refuge in BSF camps to escape the flooding. The BSF post at the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is also underwater, with personnel taking shelter at the Dera Baba Nanak Gurdwara. The Ravi River’s strong currents have caused significant damage along the Pakistan border as well, with Pakistan Rangers abandoning several posts. According to the Gurdaspur Drainage Department, more than 28 embankments along the Ravi River have collapsed. In Amritsar alone, 12 embankments have been breached, and in Pathankot, a two-kilometer-long embankment has been destroyed. Near Dera Baba Nanak, approximately 500 meters of barbed wire fencing has been uprooted. The BSF has stated that repairs will be completed within the next month. In Firozpur and other districts, BSF personnel are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. Concerns are growing that the open border could lead to infiltration incidents similar to Kargil. However, BSF sources confirm that, despite the absence of personnel at checkposts, surveillance continues along the border, with technology being used in some areas to maintain vigilance.