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Nitin Agrawal took charge as the Border Security Force chief in June last year. (File Image/PTI)
Agrawal, a 1989-batch Kerala cadre officer, and Khurania, a 1990-batch Odisha cadre officer, have been repatriated “prematurely” with immediate effect
In an order issued by the government, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) relieved Border Security Force (BSF) Director General (DG) Nitin Agrawal and its Deputy Special Director General (West) YB Khurania and immediately sent them back to their respective state cadres, it said on Friday. .
DG BSF Nitin Agarwal has been sent back two years before the end of his tenure. “The Cabinet Appointments Committee has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the early repatriation of Nitin Agarwal, IPS KL (89), DG, BSF, to his parent cadre with immediate effect,” the order said.
According to separate orders issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Agrawal, a 1989-batch Kerala cadre officer, and Khurania, a 1990-batch Odisha cadre officer, have been repatriated “early” and “Effective immediately”. Khuranya is likely to become the new IGP of Odisha Police.
While the reason for the sudden decision was not mentioned in the official order, sources said the recent heavy infiltration in Jammu could be the reason for taking this momentous decision.
“Suspected terrorists are trying to infiltrate from the international border guarded by the BSF,” an official in Jammu and Kashmir told CNN News18.
Sources revealed that at least one of the terrorists arrested from Kathua told police that he infiltrated along Unjh Daria, an area along the international border guarded by BSF troops in Punjab. The Indian Army also suspects that the infiltration took place from the international borders of Punjab and Jammu. The terrorists then allegedly used the highway to reach the forest areas of Kathua, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch.
YB Khurania is the Special Director General in-charge of BSF Western Command. Both Jammu and Punjab come under the purview of the Western Command.
The ACC's decision will bring about a complete overhaul of the BSF leadership in Jammu.
Agrawal took charge as the Border Security Force chief in June last year, while Khurania, as Special Director General (West), was responsible for leading the formation of the force along the Pakistan border.
