After Operation Sindoor, Indian Army and BSF officers discuss western theatre, joint border management
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Chandigarh: The annual synergy conference of Army and
BSF
was held at the Western Command HQ Thursday, bringing together senior BSF leadership of the Punjab and Jammu Frontier and the Western Command.
The conference aimed to further enhance operational synergy, reinforce jointmanship, and address critical issues pertinent to border management in the Western theatre. The meeting was co-chaired by Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Army Commander (Western Command), and Satish S Khandare, ADG, HQ Spl DG BSF (Western Command).
The conference featured detailed analyses of the challenges encountered in border management, with a particular focus on the recent operational experience of
Operation Sindoor
.
Senior commanders from both forces shared tactical and strategic insights gained during the operation, highlighting areas such as coordination under dynamic conditions, terrain exploitation, and rapid decision-making. The lessons drawn from this operation are being actively institutionalised to enhance preparedness, adaptability, and response mechanisms for future border contingencies.
Building upon these insights, the conference deliberated on a range of joint initiatives aimed at fostering greater operational synergy.
These included the harmonisation of training protocols and equipment profiles between BSF and Army units to ensure compatibility and seamless coordination during integrated missions. Discussions also focused on measures to enhance resource sharing and supply chain efficiency in forward areas.
Building on previous exercises to enhance synergy, a communication architecture was deliberated upon to enable secure, real-time information exchange across operational formations.
In view of rising aerial threats, particularly from small unmanned aerial systems, both forces also explored the integration of surveillance platforms and counter-drone capabilities, with an aim to enhance the layered airspace defence mechanism.
Satisfaction with various initiatives taken post the last conference in April 2024 was realised as joint training and the establishment of communication protocols leading to increased joint operability were tested during Operation Sindoor.
Newer areas for synergy were identified, such as drones, C-UAV, surveillance, and communication for enhanced jointness to fight a coordinated defensive battle.
In his concluding address, Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, GOC-in-C, HQ (Western Command), emphasised the long-term vision of developing a joint security force culture, reiterating the significance of sustained cooperation and the spirit of jointmanship. He lauded the efforts of both the BSF and the Army in maintaining border integrity and called for continued collaboration to effectively counter modern and emerging threats.
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