KKN Gurugram Desk | As cross-border infiltration and illegal immigration rise along India’s eastern front, especially in the dense and vulnerable Sunderbans region of the India-Bangladesh border, the Border Security Force (BSF) has requested high-tech surveillance support from DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). The aim is to plug security loopholes and counter the potential threat of terrorist infiltration using riverine and mangrove routes.

The request comes in the wake of a high-level coastal security review meeting chaired by the Secretary of Border Management under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), following the nationwide Operation Sindoor, which began earlier this year to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants after a terror incident in Pahalgam.

Why the Sunderbans Are a Major Security Concern

Spanning approximately 113 km of the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal, the Sunderbans is one of the most challenging terrains for border surveillance. The region consists of rivers, tidal creeks, and thick mangrove forests, offering natural cover and access routes for illegal migrants, smugglers, and now, reportedly, terrorist elements.

According to intelligence inputs, certain terror networks may be attempting to exploit riverine channels in the Sunderbans to infiltrate Indian territory. This possibility has prompted the BSF to push for satellite, drone, and radar-based surveillance systems to secure the porous landscape.

BSF’s High-Tech Surveillance Proposal for Sunderbans

As per a senior MHA official, the BSF has formally proposed to bring the 113-km stretch of the Sunderbans under a dedicated technology-based surveillance network. The agency has conducted a feasibility study in collaboration with ISRO and DRDO to assess the deployment of monitoring infrastructure.

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for real-time visuals

• Radar systems to detect unauthorized movement across creeks

• Satellite imagery to monitor terrain and activities

• AI-enabled CCTV towers for 24/7 ground observation

DRDO has reportedly been asked to identify the right mix of technology after on-ground inspection. However, implementation is expected only after DRDO completes its current surveillance project in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

Current BSF Deployment and Challenges in the Region

The BSF is already managing surveillance of around 123 kilometers in the Sunderbans sector using:

• 8 floating Border Outposts (BOPs)

• 96 high-speed patrol boats

• Coordination with the West Bengal Forest Department

The force is facing major operational challenges due to:

• Inaccessible terrain

• Constant tide shifts

• Dense mangrove coverage

• Absence of permanent surveillance towers in key areas

To strengthen its position, the BSF has requested land from the state government for the construction of seven permanent observation towers and the expansion of co-located posts in forest areas. Currently, there are only three such co-located posts.

State Government Response and Delays

While the West Bengal government has participated in land survey efforts, progress has been slower than expected. During the MHA-led meeting last month, BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary was present along with state representatives.

The state reportedly agreed to allot land at two sites and confirmed survey at seven locations, but sources say the Forest and Revenue Departments have not actively participated in joint inspections, leading to bottlenecks in implementation.

Operation Sindoor: Trigger Behind the Security Overhaul

The renewed focus on eastern border security is directly linked to Operation Sindoor, initiated after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. As part of the operation:

• Thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were identified

• A 30-day timeline was issued for deportation

• BSF stepped up surveillance in critical regions

The Sunderbans has emerged as a key vulnerability in the broader strategy to neutralize cross-border terror networks, with credible evidence suggesting that radical outfits are exploring alternative infiltration routes following increased security on land borders.

Central Government’s Comprehensive Security Strategy

To address the multi-dimensional threat along the eastern border, the central government has taken several measures:

• Deployment of additional paramilitary forces in sensitive regions

• Faster deportation mechanisms for detected illegal immigrants

• Real-time intelligence sharing among IB, RAW, NIA, and BSF

• Special attention to high-risk sectors like the Sunderbans

Why the DRDO-ISRO Partnership Matters

The involvement of DRDO and ISRO signifies a major shift in border management strategy. Traditional manned patrolling is no longer sufficient, especially in challenging zones like the Sunderbans. The focus is now on integrated technology-driven surveillance, inspired by models used along the western borders and in counter-insurgency operations.

This synergy is expected to:

• Provide real-time threat alerts

• Reduce dependency on manual patrolling in difficult terrains

• Improve resource efficiency

• Enable proactive responses to infiltration attempts

Potential Risks if Delays Continue

Security agencies warn that without timely deployment of this high-tech infrastructure, the Sunderbans region could turn into a hotspot for terror entry, smuggling operations, and illegal immigration.

Consequences of Inaction:

• Undetected infiltration of foreign nationals and militants

• Increase in human trafficking and narcotics smuggling

• Potential for cross-border terror strikes

• Erosion of local trust in enforcement capabilities

This has further intensified the urgency behind the BSF’s proposal and pushed for inter-departmental coordination to accelerate approvals and groundwork.

The call for DRDO and ISRO’s assistance by the BSF marks a significant turning point in India’s eastern border security architecture. The fragile, water-bound Sunderbans zone, long exploited for illegal entry, is now under the scanner like never before.

As the government steps up efforts to monitor and secure the India-Bangladesh border, the technological transformation of surveillance mechanisms is expected to serve as a template for other vulnerable borders across India.