Agartala, Nov 24 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) is ready for joint operations with state security forces to battle terrorists in the northeast, BSF Director General Raman Srivastava said Tuesday.

‘If the governments of northeastern states want, the BSF is ready to carry out joint anti-insurgency operations to curb militancy in the region,’ Srivastava told reporters.

Now the paramilitary Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force assist the state forces in most of the terrorist hit northeastern states. The army has also been deployed in a few states including Assam and Manipur.

The BSF chief said: ‘With the deployment of additional BSF troopers, the number of border outposts would be increased and many outposts would be relocated to further tighten vigil along India’s border with Bangladesh.’

India has stepped up efforts to complete the fencing along the winding border with Bangladesh by 2013, he said.

To maintain effective vigilance on the border, the distance between border posts will be cut from the present 4.5 km to 2.8 km, keeping in mind the region’s topography.

‘Owners of houses and farmland of Indians which fall outside the fencing would get identity cards from the BSF or the appropriate authority for their trouble-free movement,’ Srivastava added.

Five Indian states – West Bengal, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura – share the 4,095 km border with Bangladesh.

These include a 2,979-km land border and 1,116 km of riverine. Among the states, Tripura shares 856 km, Meghalaya 443 km, Mizoram 318 km and Assam 263 km of border with Bangladesh.