The government has prematurely repatriated BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal and his deputy, Special DG (West) Y B Khurania, to their respective state cadres. This decision comes amidst a surge in terror incidents and infiltration bids in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in the Jammu region.
In a significant reshuffle, the Centre has removed BSF Director General (DG) Nitin Agrawal and his deputy Special DG (West) Y B Khurania, repatriating them to their state cadres with immediate effect. This move comes as Jammu & Kashmir witnesses a spike in terror incidents and infiltration attempts, particularly in the Jammu region. The decision underscores the government’s response to the escalating security challenges in the region.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) put forth the proposal for the premature repatriation of Nitin Agrawal, a 1989-batch Kerala-cadre officer, who had assumed the role of BSF chief in June last year and was slated to retire in 2026. Sakshi Mittal, Director of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), confirmed that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved this proposal. Agrawal’s removal was deliberated upon a few days ago, with the MHA forwarding the proposal letter to the relevant department on July 30.
Y B Khurania, a 1990-batch Odisha-cadre officer, was in charge of the BSF formation along the Pakistan border. His repatriation was also sanctioned by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, following a similar proposal from the MHA. The BSF is responsible for guarding approximately 2,290 km of the international border along Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat on India’s western flank. The Jammu area, with its susceptibility to cross-border tunnels and its challenging dense forests and mountainous terrain, remains a prime target for terrorist activities aimed at civilians and security forces.
The urgency of this administrative action is highlighted by the alarming data: as of July 21 this year, Jammu & Kashmir has recorded 14 civilian and 14 security personnel fatalities, along with 24 encounter/counter-terror operations and 11 terror-initiated incidents.
In a related development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also approved the MHA’s proposal to appoint Amrit Mohan Prasad, a 1989-batch Odisha-cadre officer, as Special DG of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) until August 31, 2025. This appointment aims to bolster the leadership within the CRPF amidst the ongoing security challenges.
The removal of top BSF officials amidst rising terror threats in Jammu & Kashmir signals the government’s proactive stance in addressing security concerns. With new appointments in place, the focus now shifts to enhancing border security and counter-terror operations to ensure the safety and stability of the region.
