India never attacks anyone but will retaliate and “not count the bullets” if attacked, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday after reviewing security on border with Pakistan in the wake of surgical strikes.
“Our heritage is ‘Vasudev Kutumbakam’ meaning the whole world is one family. We do not intend to occupy others’ land. We never open fire first, but if attacked, in retaliation we never count the bullets after pulling the trigger,” he said addressing the BSF personnel on the second day of his Rajasthan visit.
Singh, who visited BSF’s Munabao Border Outpost, assured the security personnel that the government will do everything to improve the border infrastructure, including completing the floodlighting and a parallel road along the fencing, and their service conditions.
He also lauded the BSF personnel who guard the borders effectively despite adverse temperature and difficult desert terrain guard.
Noting that some of the border outposts do not have proper telephone facility, the minister said that mobile connectivity will be improved with the sanction of more mobile towers close to the border and in the meantime more satellite phones will also be provided at the BOPs.
The Home Ministry will also address the shortage of bullet proof jackets and also consider procuring lighter ones.
He also expressed concern over shortage of drinking water facility at some of the outposts and mentioned that a
survey would be conducted on the feasibility of providing piped water supply to all the BOPs.
“The issue of camouflage uniform being uncomfortable in the hot temperature flagged by the BSF personnel will also be addressed,” the release quoting Singh as saying.
Singh said the Director General, BSF and Secretary (Border Management) accompanying him have taken note of all issues of concern raised by the BSF troopers at the BOPs.
The Minister had visited Murar and adjoining border outposts in Jaisalmer district and interacted with the BSF jawans on Friday.
