Devendra Kumar Pathak DG of BSF: Things You Need to Know

New Delhi: Devendra Kumar Pathak, IPS, SDG BSF was the  Director General of BSF on 07^th April 2014. He was the 23^rd Director General of elite Border Security Force, which is the largest Border Guarding Force of the world having the strength of Two Lac fifty Thousands (2.5 Lacs) brave and dedicated Border Men protecting the International Borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Born on 1^st March`1956 in Netarhat (Ranchi), Jharkhand. Shri Devendra Kumar Pathak did his Master degree in History from Kirori Mal (Delhi University) in the year 1978. Shri D K Pathak belongs to the 1979 batch of the Indian Police Service and was allotted the Assam-Meghalaya Cadre. Shri D K Pathak in his early days in the Indian Police Service has served in various Positions in Meghalaya Police and Assam Police. Subsequently, he served in Oil India Ltd, New Delhi as Chief Vigilance Officer, in CRPF as Inspector General Srinagar, IG SAF/CoBRA Sector, IG(Pers) CRPF HQ, Addl Director General (Trg), Addl Director General (HQ) and Special Director General, CRPF, J&K Zone and thereafter joined as Special Director General in BSF. Since March 1^st, 2014, he is holding the additional charge of Director General BSF.

Important assignments handled by Shri D K Pathak - an overview:-

Held charge of four districts as SSP in Assam and Meghalaya and also held charge of one range for continuous four years.

Worked as CVO in Oil India Ltd, New Delhi.

Assigned to handle strife-torn & volatile law and order situation in Assam as IG (Law & Order) and ADG (Law & Order) for a record period of 05 years continuously.

In CRPF in 2008 on central deputation, and got posted to J&K.

Entrusted to raise elite Anti Naxal force, “CoBRA” of CRPF.

Entrusted to revamp training of the CRPF, apart from giving momentum to IT, Provisioning, Administration, etc as ADG (HQ & Trg), in order to achieve optimum professional acumen of the Force.

Attended International Senior Seminar on “Strengthening the Legal Regime for combating Terrorism” in Tokyo, Japan.

Devendra Kumar Pathak has been decorated with Police Special Duty Medal, Police Aantrik Suraksha Medal, Police Medal for Meritorious Service and President Police Medal for Distinguished Service. He is also awarded with several DG`s Disc’s.

BSF, an elite force of the country, took birth on 1^st Dec`1965 with the primary responsibility to safeguard International Border with Pakistan and Bangladesh. These borders, before its birth, were manned by respective State Armed Police. However, the armed aggression by Pakistan Forces, on 09<sup>th</sup> April`1965, against Sardar Post, Chhar Bet and Beria Bet in Gujarat exposed the necessity of a uniform Armed Police Force to safeguard these sensitive borders. The need of a force that was trained like Army to guard the borders and leveled like Police to check Trans Border Crimes. With the recommendations of a committee of Secretaries, the BSF came into border on 1^st Dec`1965.

With 25 Battalions on the day of its inception, it has, today, become 175 Battalions (including Three Disaster Management Battalion) strong supported by Premier Training Institutions, a comprehensive Medical set up, an Artillery Regiment, Air and Water Wings, Camel contingent & Dog squads. The BSF is a unique force with both `Peace time` and `War time` roles and fighting against men made and climatic threats day & night.