Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed authorities to demolish all illegal constructions located within 15 kilometres of India’s international border with Pakistan, during a high-level security review meeting held in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
The Home Minister instructed officials to enforce a “zero-tolerance policy” against illegal structures and encroachments in sensitive border areas as part of a broader effort to strengthen national security and curb cross-border crimes.
The meeting was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, senior state government officials, district magistrates, superintendents of police, and officials from the Border Security Force (BSF). Border districts reviewed during the meeting included Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi.
Officials said the Centre is focusing on tighter surveillance and stronger enforcement mechanisms to tackle:infiltration from across the border,narcotics and weapons smuggling,terror financing,fake Aadhaar card networks,shell companies and mule bank accounts,and illegal encroachments near border zones.
During the review, Shah also called for a “360-degree security framework” for border districts involving local residents, the state administration and security agencies. He emphasised stronger coordination among the BSF, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and state authorities to combat trans-border crimes.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over drone-based smuggling and infiltration attempts along the India–Pakistan border in Rajasthan. The Centre is also pushing ahead with a technology-driven “Smart Border Project” aimed at deploying advanced surveillance systems, drones, radar and integrated monitoring infrastructure along sensitive border sectors.
- No official order has been issued regarding evacuation of civilians living near the border. Current government directives are limited to action against illegal constructions and security-related encroachments within the 15-km border belt.
