BSF will increase patrolling in Barmer and Jaisalmer near the border in Rajasthan ahead of I-Day.
A security alert has been sounded in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan ahead of India's 70th Independence Day. Patrolling along the 471 kilometers border with Pakistan has been intensified.
30 border villages in the districts are also under a strict watch. Even the Border Security Force or BSF jawans will not be allowed to use personnel mobiles during the alert that will last till August 19.
"We are working towards making this border secure. We have electronic fencing and the patrolling on the border done by the BSF, but we work in tandem with the local police. We are also going to take the lead in setting up cameras here for keeping vigil," said Amit Lodha, Deputy Inspector General BSF, Jaislamer.
CCTV cameras will also be used to monitor the border areas, and the western border will be among the first to get the extra layer of security.
Shifting sand dunes often cover the fencing at the border, making it both difficult to patrol and guard. The CCTV camera, security agencies say, will go a long way in maintaining vigil along the border with Pakistan.
The Jaisalmer border is especially sensitive as the Pokhran and Mahajan field firing range are close to the border, which has in the past been used for nuclear testing and military war game exercises.