Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey is a former Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). He led a crucial operation in 2003 to capture terrorist Ghazi Baba, who was responsible for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. During the operation, Dubey was shot multiple times, and one of the bullets still remains lodged in his body. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery.

Sanjiv Krishan Sood is a retired Additional Director General of the BSF. In his 38 years of service, he served along all of India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, including 8 years on the Line of Control and in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, both officers talk about what it takes to guard India’s borders and how difficult it is to stop infiltration along the Line of Control. They also speak about Operation Sindoor and what goes on in the mind of a soldier posted at the border.

The conversation also covers the operation against Ghazi Baba, the Attari–Wagah border ceremony, and the growing threat from drones.

*Audio Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

01:25 – BSF Foils Drone Entry Near Amritsar

08:25 – Challenges of Drone Warfare

09:56 – Challenges of Terrorist Hunt in Pahalgam

13:26 – BSF’s PK Shaw Case

21:40 – Will Pakistan Strike Back?

25:31 – India’s Anti-Drone Strategy

28:02 – Gazi Baba Encounter

38:32 – Cost of Killing Gazi Baba

40:16 – Operation Sindoor & Bahawalpur Attack

44:36 – Troop Morale After Attacks

47:01 – Troops Emotions vs Public Rage

52:53 – Role of Human Informants

01:00:40 – India-Pakistan Peace Talks Recalled

01:03:28 – Firing Decision on Border

01:10:37 – Recalling Funny Incidents on the Border

01:15:22 – Wagah Ceremony Debate

01:19:36 – Dealing with PTSD

01:23:40 – Operation Blue Star

01:27:07 – Do Soldiers Get PTSD Counselling?