BSF plea for phone-tap powers likely to be denied

The union home ministry is likely to reject a proposal by the Border Security Force (BSF) to grant it technical surveillance powers along the western border with Pakistan, enabling it to pick up ''chatter'' among drug syndicates and terrorist groups.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been investigating the probability of drug smugglers arranging logistical support for the terrorists who attacked the Pathankot airbase.

Intelligence officials say mobile-phone signals from Pakistan are available on 33 patches along the Punjab border, making it easier for drug syndicates to communicate with one another through Pakistan-registered SIMs.

The role of the BSF has come under the scanner after the terror attack as the six armed terrorists are reported to have crossed over to India through a ravine along the Pakistan border in Punjab.

Though BSF officials have maintained that the fence had not been breached and thermal image sensors had not picked up any such movement on the borders, there are strong indications that the terrorists came through the ravine near the Bamiyal sector. It is suspected that the same route was used by the terrorists involved in the 27 July attack on the Dinanagar police station.

The Punjab government has often accused the BSF of not containing the drug-smuggling syndicates in the state. The BSF has denied the allegations.

''There are too many agencies having phone interception powers. We can't add one more to the list. There is a proper communication channel and synergy which exists among agencies, and a mechanism will be put in place to share intelligence on a real-time basis,'' a senior government official said.

The Research and Analysis Wing, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the Enforcement Directorate and the state police have been permitted phone-tapping powers by the union home secretary.

BSF officials say that deals between drug syndicates on both sides of the border are struck at short notice because of the mobile-phone connectivity. An official says drug smuggling has become a hereditary occupation for many people in the border villages.

''Drug conduits on both sides of the border use SIMs registered in either country and could communicate with one another,'' a BSF official says.

After the Pathankot attack, the BSF augmented its manpower along the Punjab border, but says it is also looking for technological solutions.