Introduction

The 3323 km long land boundary of India, spanning the States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and the urban territory of J&K, shares a border with Pakistan. This border has varied terrain and distinct geographical characteristics. 

Issues 

• Cross-border terrorism: Militants and separatists from the other side try to enter India and disrupt the situation in Kashmir valley, and other parts of India, occasional indiscriminate firing from the Pakistani side gets soldiers and citizens killed. 
• Smuggling: Despite fences, the heroin trade is rampant at the borders with Punjab, and the involvement of local people is also there. Smuggling of weapons, ammunition, and contraband across the LoC, are other different challenges posed against India’s security. 
• Cross border tunnels: Terrorists try to enter India via cross border tunnels, too, which poses a great security threat to India’s internal security. 
• Unsettled borders like Saltoro Ridge, Sir Creek and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, etc.

Important Initiatives and Way Forward 

• The Government has sanctioned fences and floodlights around the border. The Border Security Force (BSF) has implemented a smart fencing mechanism which contains laser walls and a heat sensor system. 
• Two stretches of 5 km each are constructed as a trial project in Jammu under CIBMS in Phase-I, on Indo- Pakistan Border, which further will be extended in Gujarat and Punjab in subsequent phases. 
• Trilateral solution to the problem: A trilateral solution is needed with India, China and Pakistan being an integral part of the settlement; these border disputes are fast taking the shape of regional disputes with smaller nations getting dragged in.