Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today attended the Border Security Force (BSF) Investiture Ceremony and Rustamji Memorial Lecture in New Delhi as the chief guest.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Director General of the Border Security Force.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, said that the journey of the BSF from 1965 to 2025 demonstrates how an organisation that began with limited resources in challenging circumstances has emerged as the world’s largest and most prestigious border security force. He said that BSF is the finest example of how patriotism can overcome all difficulties to achieve global excellence. He highlighted that the patriotism and dedication shown by BSF personnel in adverse conditions—be it temperatures above 45 degrees or extremely low, dense jungles, rugged mountains, or coastal areas—have earned the BSF the honour of being the first line of defence. Shri Shah added that a decision was made in the country to assign one force to secure each border, and based on the BSF’s capability, it was entrusted with the responsibility of securing two of the most challenging borders, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Remembering the contributions of Shri K.F. Rustamji, who played a pivotal role in raising the BSF, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that after the 1965 war, a need was felt for a force that could secure the borders even during peacetime, leading to the inception of the BSF, with Rustamji becoming its first Director General. He stated that the bravery and contributions of BSF personnel in the 1971 war, which was imposed on India, will never be forgotten by the nation, nor should Bangladesh ever forget it. Shri Shah emphasised that the BSF played a significant role in the creation of Bangladesh and set an exemplary standard of bravery by standing shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in fighting against injustice.
Shri Amit Shah said that alongside border security, the BSF has actively participated and achieved results in internal security, disaster management, and anti-terrorism operations. He noted that whether it is elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, sports events, or combating terrorism and Naxalism, the BSF has performed its duties exceptionally well on every front where it has been deployed.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that today’s investiture ceremony is taking place at a time when the BSF and the armed forces have set an unparalleled example of valour before the entire world. He said that Operation Sindoor is a remarkable demonstration of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s firm political will, precise intelligence inputs from agencies, and the lethal capabilities of our forces. He added that for decades, our country has faced Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, and over the years, Pakistan carried out multiple terrorist attacks, but they were never adequately responded to.
Shri Amit Shah said that when Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, the first major terrorist attack on our soldiers occurred in Uri, and for the first time, we conducted a surgical strike, penetrating into the terrorist hideouts and giving a befitting response. He said that we believed the response would put an end to the terrorist activities, but it didn’t, and another terrorist attack took place in Pulwama, on our soldiers. This time, the Indian forces responded decisively with an airstrike, once again destroying terrorist bases. Shri Shah stated that the situation deteriorated further in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-sponsored terrorists brutally killed innocent tourists in front of their wives and families after questioning their religion. He said that at that time, Prime Minister Modi had declared that this terrorist attack would receive a fitting response, and Operation Sindoor was that appropriate response. He added that today, the entire world is praising the bravery and lethal capabilities of our armed forces.
Union Home Minister said that while responses to terrorist attacks have been given in many parts of the world, the response India has given is unique. He stated that after the attack in Pahalgam, we launched Operation Sindoor and, within minutes, destroyed nine terrorist bases, two of which were headquarters of terrorist organisations. He emphasised that the Indian forces initially neither attacked Pakistan’s military establishments nor their airbases, but only demolished the terrorist hideouts responsible for heinous crimes on our soil. Shri Shah said that we believed this would suffice, as our attack was solely against the terrorists. He added that Pakistan proved that it sponsors terrorism by considering the attack on the terrorists as an attack on itself and dared to target our country’s civilians and military institutions. The Home Minister said that India’s air defence system is remarkable, and Pakistan’s attacks could not harm us.
Shri Amit Shah said that when the Pakistani army attempted to attack our civilians and military institutions, the Indian armed forces responded decisively by attacking their airbase, showcasing our lethal capabilities and proving their air defence system ineffective. He said that even during that time, we did not attack any civilian locations in Pakistan. He said, through Operation Sindoor, the bond between Pakistan and terrorism has been exposed to the entire world. He mentioned that when terrorist bases in Pakistan were attacked, the Pakistani army responded, and the world witnessed senior Pakistani army officers attending the funerals of the killed terrorists.
Union Home Minister stated that what Pakistan had always denied has now been fully exposed to the world after Operation Sindoor, confirming that terrorism in India is Pakistan-sponsored. He said that Operation Sindoor was the most precise and successful response in the history of countering terrorist attacks on our soil. He added that today, experts worldwide are praising the bravery, lethal capabilities, and restraint of our soldiers.
Shri Amit Shah said that the entire nation is proud of our army and BSF border guards. The BSF has demonstrated, by responding to bullets with bullets at the border, that as long as the BSF is present, the Pakistani army cannot advance even an inch. He said that Operation Sindoor has also effectively showcased the success of self-reliant India in defence production. He stated that in the coming days, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, this campaign will gain further momentum, and we will move toward greater self-reliance. He noted that during Operation Sindoor, BSF personnel Mohammad Imtiyaz Ahmad and Deepak Chingakham made the supreme sacrifice while protecting the motherland, and their names will forever be etched in golden letters in the history of the nation’s defence.
Union Home Minister said that the BSF secures India’s over 15,000-kilometre-long and most challenging border. He mentioned that over the past five years, the BSF has made efforts to find numerous technological solutions. In areas where fencing is not possible, the BSF has experimentally implemented global technological solutions for border security. He added that BSF personnel have also developed several in-house solutions, and these technological advancements for securing geographically challenging borders will help keep the country safe in the coming days. He said, in Operation Sindoor, the BSF and Army set an unparalleled example of bravery before the world.
Shri Amit Shah said that since its inception on December 1, 1965, the BSF, with 2.75 lakh personnel, has established itself as the foremost among all border security forces worldwide by forming water, land, and air security units, performing its role exceptionally well. He noted that the nation has always honoured the bravery of BSF personnel, with 1 Padma Vibhushan, 2 Padma Bhushan, 7 Padma Shri, 1 Mahavir Chakra, 6 Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, 56 Army Medals, and 1,246 Police Medals for Gallantry awarded to BSF personnel. Shri Shah said this reflects the extraordinary dedication of a force that receives such many accolades. He added that over the past five years, the BSF has strengthened the fight against narcotics by seizing approximately 1.1 lakh kilograms of drugs. He also noted that by eliminating over 78 Naxalites in the past five years, the BSF has significantly contributed to the success of anti-Naxal operations.
Union Home Minister said that the Narendra Modi government, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the entire nation stand behind the bravery of BSF personnel firmly. He emphasised that the country trusts and honours the BSF personnel.
