Analyse internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (UPSC 2020)

India’s borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan, including the LoC, are major internal security flashpoints due to porous terrain, ethnic linkages, hostile activity and transnational crime.

• Myanmar border: Insurgent movement, safe havens, arms and narcotics trafficking from the Golden Triangle, and refugee inflows have disturbed peace in the North-East.
• Bangladesh border: Long, riverine and densely populated stretches facilitate illegal migration, cattle and gold smuggling, narcotics, trafficking of women and children, and fake currency circulation.
• Pakistan border and LoC: The gravest threat is cross-border terrorism, infiltration, shelling, drone drops of drugs and weapons, and terror financing through smuggling networks.

Security forces:

• Assam Rifles secures the Myanmar border and assists counter-insurgency in difficult terrain.
• BSF guards the Bangladesh and Pakistan borders, checks infiltration and smuggling, and coordinates with state police.
• Indian Army controls the LoC, responds to ceasefire violations and prevents escalation.
• Intelligence, police, customs and related agencies enable surveillance, data sharing and joint operations.

Hence, India needs integrated border management—fencing, sensors, drones, intelligence fusion and local cooperation—because internal security threats are sustained by both violence and criminal economies.