BSF in crimes of war: Canada

The Canadian High Commission has called the BSF "a notoriously violent paramilitary unit" responsible for "war crimes in India", while rejecting an immigration request from a retired BSF trooper. HT reports.

The Canadian High Commission has called the Border Security Force "a notoriously violent paramilitary unit" responsible for "war crimes in India", while rejecting an immigration request from a retired BSF trooper.

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In a communication to retired BSF head constable Fateh Singh Pandher (60), the high commission accused the BSF of "systematic attacks on civilians" and said Pandher had not provided evidence of disassociating himself from the force.

An angry home ministry has complained about this to the foreign ministry.

"This is an insult to the entire force that guards this country's border," a senior government official said.

The diplomatic gaffe comes weeks ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Kanishka bombing and amid mounting concerns in New Delhi security's establishment that Canada was not doing enough to check attempts by Khalistani terrorists from resurrecting the movement.

"The matter has come to the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs, and has been appropriately taken up with
the Canadian side," said MEA spokesman Vishnu Prakash.

"The Canadian High Commission has not just attacked me but my country and my force (BSF)," Pandher said.