Finish harvesting, clear fields in 48 hours, BSF tells farmers

Heightened security measures come in the wake of Pahalgam attack, say officials; farmers in Punjab cultivate approx 45K acres of land along a 530km-long border

- Surjit Singh and Gaurav Sagar Bhaskar

AMRITSAR/FEROZEPUR: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday issued an urgent directive to farmers along the India-Pakistan border to complete harvesting and clear their fields within 48 hours, as tensions escalate following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists last week.

The heightened security measure affects thousands of farmers with agricultural land situated in the sensitive zone between the border fence and the zero line—a unique challenge for Punjab's border communities who cultivate approximately 45,000 acres across the 530-kilometre international boundary.

Village gurdwaras across Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka districts broadcast announcements warning farmers that access gates to these forward areas would soon be closed, potentially cutting off access to their lands indefinitely if the situation deteriorates further.

"The BSF personnel have been pressurising the farmers for the last two days to finish the work in the fields and telling them that the gates will be closed as circumstances are vulnerable," said Raghbir Singh Bhangala, a farmer from the border village of Bhangala.

"The cattle feed is essential for us and is used throughout the year. We should be allowed to work as long as peace prevails," he added.