The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned the additional charge of Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) to Daljit Singh Chaudhary, who is already serving as DG of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), until a regular appointment is made or until further orders. This development follows the sudden repatriation of ex-BSF DG Nitin Agarwal to his parent Kerala cadre, effective immediately. Agarwal, a 1989 batch IPS officer, took over as BSF DG in June last year, succeeding Pankaj Kumar Singh. It is speculated that Agarwal’s repatriation is connected to increased infiltration along the Jammu sector, although the government has not officially cited reasons for this move.
The BSF is tasked with guarding the international border and segments of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The repatriation of Agarwal was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, and the committee also relieved Special Director General Yogesh Khurania from the BSF. Khurania, a 1990 batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, has been appointed as the new Director General of Police for Odisha, succeeding Arun Sarangi. His recent visit to the Jammu frontier involved a comprehensive review of the security situation amidst escalating threats of cross-border infiltration, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In another significant appointment, the government sanctioned the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the appointment of Amrit Mohan Prasad, IPS, as Special Director General, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), in Level-16 of the pay matrix, effective from the date of joining the post and up to August 31, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai disclosed in the Rajya Sabha that as of July 1, there are 10,145 vacant positions in the BSF, including 387 Gazetted Officers in Group ‘A’, 1,816 Subordinate Officers in Group ‘B’, and 7,942 Other Ranks in Group ‘C’.
The dynamic changes in leadership within the BSF and the allocation of crucial responsibilities to top personnel demonstrate a concerted effort to address the challenges faced by the force. The additional charge to Daljit Singh Chaudhary signifies the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of leadership in critical security establishments. As the BSF navigates a period of heightened border tensions and internal restructuring, these appointments are poised to play a pivotal role in charting the future course of the force.
