BSF Chief and Deputy Removed Amidst Rising Terror Incidents In Jammu

The union government has removed the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), Nitin Agrawal, and his deputy, Special DG (Western Command) Y.B. Khurania, from their positions. The decision comes amid reports of increased infiltration from the Jammu border, which is under the operational control of the BSF.

This development follows a series of terror incidents in the Jammu region, along the India-Pakistan border. At least 22 people, including 11 security personnel and a village defence guard (VDG) member, have been killed this year in such incidents in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, and Doda districts. The Jammu region, interspersed with dense forests and mountainous terrain, accounts for 485 kms of the 2,289 km long India-Pakistan border.

In June, a bus carrying pilgrims was targeted in Reasi, killing nine people. On July 5, a military convoy was attacked in Kathua district, resulting in the deaths of five soldiers and injuries to five others. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

In response to the rising terror incidents, the Centre has increased deployment of forces in the Union Territory. Two battalions of BSF troops, totaling 2,000 personnel, have been airlifted from Odisha and deployed in Kashmir. Additionally, 1,500 elite Assam Rifles troops will be deployed under the operational control of the Army, with their primary mission being to 'secure peaks and upper reaches' in Kashmir. Estimates suggest that around 80 terrorists are operating in small groups in the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range.

As the BSF chief, Nitin Agrawal, a 1989-batch Kerala cadre IPS officer, had taken charge in June last year and was scheduled to retire in July 2026. His deputy, Y.B. Khurania, a 1990-batch Odisha cadre officer, was leading the force's operations along the Pakistan border as Special DG (West).

The government has not yet appointed a new Director General for the BSF.