India- Pakistan International Border near Jammu

July 13, 2022

An incredibly emotional moment for all of us who were part of the Amarnath Yatra to end the trip with a visit to the India -Pakistan International Border near Jammu. This is what I found in the net when I was searching for the distance.

The Suchetgarh Border post is 28 kms from main Jammu. The road to Nai Basti-Gulabgarh from Jammu follows the train route as it existed prior to 1947 and a number of old buildings can be seen on the way. Suchetgarh Post served as the route to Sialkot during the pre-partition era, which is just 11 kms from the post and earlier there was an Octroi post at this point. On the other side of the border post lies a spectacular Banyan Tree, which is as old as 100 years. In close vicinity are the "Gharana and Abdullian wet lands where migratory birds of a number of varieties flock during winter season.

Coming from Tamilnadu where we are very safe in terms of International Border ( of course we need to be protected at Sea by Navy, still meeting an Army Jawan doesn't make it understand what He stands for.

But coming here and see it made us realize how These real Heroes in real life Keep us all safe by their vigilant guarding all the time. At the same time was feeling so Proud of these Border Security Force people who are the first line of defense for our country.

Our Heartfelt Thanks to each and everyone of your in BSF, Parma Military Forces and all other Armed Forces for all your Services for our Sake and for the Sake of our Mother India.

We were allowed to go up to the pole which separates our country from our neighbor and take photographs. It is just 230 mts to the Pakistan Post Inayat. During our visit we also witnessed Dak exchange between the soldiers of the 2 countries. 3 Pakistani Army personnel walked towards the Indian side with a purple flag. From our side 3 army personnel walked to their gate side with a Yellow flag. Then the Pakistani side handed over a letter and after few pleasantries turned back to their side and walked upto their gate and went inside.

We were also shown the Big white painted marker stones and what lies to the Indian side belongs to us and the other side belongs to Pakistan. Oddly there is a big banyian tree which has spread its branches to both the sides. We also saw agricultural fields on both the sides. We could see the village on Pakistani side quite close to their gate. Unlike the Wagah border there is a parade on 2 days in a week but this parade happens only in our Indian side.

On the whole it was an emotional and Soul fulfilling moment for us to see the Border.

here is a note from BSF site about this Jammu Frontier

JAMMU FRONTIER: AN IMPREGNABLE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE

Conflict analysts have acknowledged the turbulent borders of India-Pakistan particularly along Jammu and Kashmir as one of the most longstanding hostile environment in the world. Since 1965, the International Boundary and the LC segment have remained capricious, grueling and ferocious in nature. Border Security Force in Jammu is fighting against a determined enemy, determined to internationalize the ‘K’ issue at any cost and blinded by the self-serving interests of its Army and the Pakistani establishment.

The Genesis: Journey so far
The incessant hostilities assured priority in attention by decision makers to the Jammu region. In December 1965, Sector HQ BSF Jammu was raised after conversion of 3rd and 4th Battalions of Kashmir Armed Police (J&K) to 45 and 46 Bn BSF and new raising of 60 and 61 Bn at BSF camp Paloura (Present Ftr HQ). On 1st January 1981 Jammu Ftr was raised with SHQ BSF Jammu and SHQ BSF Rajouri consequent to the bifurcation of North-Western frontier at Jalandhar (Punjab) where BSF was pre-occupied in annihilating the belligerent Khalistanis. SHQ BSF Doda and SHQ BSF Kistwar were raised on adhoc basis in 1992, at the peak of Kashmir militancy, to control the aggravated law and order militancy situation in Jammu region. Nonetheless, active deployment of BSF under Jammu Frontier once again ensured normalcy in the hostile situation with large scale apprehensions, interdiction and neutralization of heavily armed foot soldiers of Jihad and recoveries indicting direct involvement of Pakistan Army. Later, SHQ BSF Kistwar was shifted to CI (Ops) SHQ Rajouri now SHQ BSF Sunderbani since 31st July 2004. In Dec 1994, MHA sanctioned SHQ BSF Gidder Galian to Jammu frontier which had its Tac HQ at Bhadarwah later shifted to CI (Ops) Ramban. On de-induction from CI (Ops) Ramban, SHQ BSF Gidder Galian now renamed as SHQ BSF Indreshwar Nagar started functioning since 15th September 2008, from its present location.

https://bsf.gov.in/@frontierjammu/about-us.html