Border Security Force Pays Tribute to Commandant BS Tyagi

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: A daring and gallant Border Security Force (BSF) officer and a great hero of Indo-Pak war in Eastern theater BS Tyagi, Commandant (retd) collapsed while doing exercise at around 6 am on November 18. He was the only survivor of the 1971 war at Kilapara situated along the Indo-Bangla Border in West Garo Hills.

Homage was paid with full guards’ honour by Darbara Singh 2IC, 75 Bn BSF to Late Tyagi. He had been the Company commander and the leader of the 1971 war fought by the BSF at Kilapara , Dallu, West Garo Hills.

The saga of valour and sacrifice of the men who guard the borders are many. One such chivalrous act, which is still the talk of Dalu, a village situated along Indo-Bangla border in West Garo Hills, is that of retired BSF personnel B S Tyagi and his men who stood firm against the enemy. He exhibited exemplary courage while taking on the Pakistan Army during the 1971 Indo-Pak War with only a handful of men at his disposal when information came in that the then East Pakistan Army was fast approaching.

On the morning of May 25, 1971, a Pakistan Army battalion launched a fullscale attack on the Killapara border outpost. The attack was repulsed twice by BSF Coy Commander BS Tyagi and his handful jawans manning the post though they were hugely outnumbered. The nine BSF jawans fought valiantly before losing their lives. Their sacrifice, however, prevented the Pakistani troops from advancing further and ultimately denied them control of the strategic Dalu-Tura road.

The BSF soldiers fought till their last breath and since there was shortage of ammunition,they even used the rifle butt against the Pakistani soldiers. Taking pride in the brave act of Tyagi, the Director General of BSF as well as BGFB felicitated him during the unveiling of War memorial at Dalu.

During peak militancy in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, he did excellent job against militants in Punjab and was also known for his gallant action in the general area of Mand in Punjab.

When militancy started in J&K he was specially called to operate in the most militancy infested area of Baramula, Kupwara and Sopore. His contribution in curving militancy in these areas will always be remembered. During his deployment in Kashmir he sustained bullet injuries twice.

UK Nayal, DIG of BSF, Meghalaya, worked under him when unit was deployed in Kashmir as well as in Punjab. Under Commandant Tyagi, he was also awarded with the President Police Medal for Gallantry for his actions against militants. He also sustain bullet injuries thrice.

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