JAISALMER: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday visited the historic Sanchu Border Outpost (BOP) of the Border Security Force along the India-Pakistan international border in Rajasthan’s Bikaner sector during his two-day tour of the border region. The BSF Sanchu Post is considered one of the country’s most historic border posts and has witnessed two major wars. Amit Shah became the first Union Home Minister to visit the strategically important post. During the visit, he addressed BSF personnel and officers, boosting their morale and appreciating their contribution to national security. On the occasion, the Home Minister virtually inaugurated 14 newly built women’s barracks at various border outposts. The visit was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, BSF Director General Praveen Kumar, BSF Rajasthan Frontier Inspector General M. L. Garg, senior officials, jawans and public representatives. The visit comes amid rising incidents of cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones from Pakistan into the Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar sectors of Rajasthan. According to officials, Amit Shah and Bhajan Lal Sharma reached the Sanchu Post by helicopter at around 11 am on Tuesday. They reviewed security arrangements along the international border, while BSF Inspector General M. L. Garg and other officers briefed them on the overall border security situation. During the BOP visit, the Home Minister addressed a BSF “Prahari Sammelan” and interacted with jawans and officers over refreshments. He praised the dedication and sacrifices of border personnel and enquired about their well-being. Earlier, Amit Shah offered prayers at the Sanchu Mata Temple and later visited the Prahari Arms Gallery, where he reviewed modern drone technologies and their operational systems. He also planted a sapling to spread a message of environmental conservation. As part of his Bikaner tour, the Home Minister is also chairing a high-level meeting at the BSF headquarters with district collectors and superintendents of police from Rajasthan’s five border districts — Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi. Discussions are focused on strengthening border security, curbing smuggling activities, tackling drone threats from across the border and addressing other security challenges. Senior officials from several intelligence and security agencies are also attending the meeting. During the visit, Amit Shah is dedicating the “Vibrant Village Programme-2” to border areas. Under the scheme, villages along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan will receive improved infrastructure and development facilities, including education, roads, electricity, mobile connectivity, tourism promotion and employment opportunities. The programme includes the development of smart classrooms, tourism circuits, community development projects and self-employment initiatives. Employment opportunities will also be created through self-help groups and cooperative societies. Under Vibrant Village Programme-2, a total of 184 border villages in Rajasthan have been identified, including villages in Sri Ganganagar, Barmer, Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts. Development of road connectivity, 4G mobile networks, television connectivity and power infrastructure will be prioritised in these villages. The Central Government has also formed a high-level committee to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the programme in coordination with various departments. Experts believe the initiative will not only improve basic infrastructure in border regions but also help make these strategically important villages economically stronger and self-reliant. Notably, Amit Shah arrived in Bikaner on Monday night at around 10.30 pm on a special aircraft at Nal Airport, where he was received by Bhajan Lal Sharma. He later stayed overnight at the BSF Sector Headquarters guest house on the Bikaner-Jaipur Road. Meanwhile, amid the Home Minister’s visit, police detained NSUI district president Shrikrishna Godara from his residence following reports of a planned black-flag protest.