Rajnath to operationalise full-fledged SSB Intelligence Wing

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will on Monday operationalise a full-fledged Intelligence Wing of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), mandated to guard India-Nepal and India-Bhutan borders.

In a bid to enhance operational efficiency, the Home Ministry in July had given approval to create 650 combatised posts for the intelligence set-up in the 96,500-strong SSB.

The 650 posts in various ranks range from battalion to headquarters levels.

The Intelligence Wing personnel would be deployed on the 1,751-km India-Nepal and 699-km India-Bhutan borders where there are no restrictions on the movement of people on either side, an official said.

He said the Intelligence Wing was required due to cross-border movement of criminals and anti-national elements in the context of visa-free regime on these borders.

As most stretches of the border see activities of Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence, Indian insurgent groups, Maoists, fundamentalists, smugglers of arms and ammunition, narcotics, Indian Fake Currency and human traffickers, the wing will really help in keeping a proper tab on these, he said.

On the occasion, the Home Minister will also launch the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) App and distribute scholarship to the children of SSB personnel killed in the line of duty.

The mobile App is available on Google Play store and is user friendly, the official said.

"The App contains various useful features to facilitate retired CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces) and Assam Rifles personnel to get their genuine grievances redressed, seek skill development training through National Skill Development Corporation under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna, re-employment and other relevant and important information," the official said.

"It also help retired personnel to have better coordination with WARB and its field formation at states, union terriroties and district level."