Coronavirus Kills Two BSF, One CISF Personnel; Number of Infected Near 500 in Various Paramilitary Forces

New Delhi : Two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer succumbed to the COVID-19 infection. Coronavirus cases have reached close to 500 in various paramilitary forces. This is the first incident of death from the coronavirus in both these paramilitary forces. In the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), about 90 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Thursday. The CAPF consists of Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Armed Border Force. Last month, a 55-year-old sub-inspector of CRPF died of infection.

With the death of three more soldiers of different security forces, the number of soldiers lost to COVID-19 in CAPF has increased to four. Union Home Minister Amit Shah mourned these deaths. He said on Twitter, “Deeply saddened to know about the death of our two brave BSF jawans battling COVID-19. I mourn with millions of Indians on his untimely demise.  “Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, Shah said,” May God give them the strength to face this sad hour. ”

41 new cases of BSF COVID-19 have been reported, while two personnel of the force have died due to coronavirus infection. This is the first case of force personnel being killed due to COVID-19. The total number of infections in BSF has increased to 193 now. Two soldiers have recovered from this disease. The BSF has the highest number of infections among all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), with the total number of infections among all paramilitary forces now approaching 490.

BSF personnel who lost their lives due to COVID-19 also include an assistant sub-inspector, 46, who was posted at the force’s headquarters (communications wing) in Delhi and had no other disease. The other BSF personnel who lost his life was undergoing dialysis at a hospital in Delhi. So far, 80 percent of the soldiers of a company stationed in the Jamia and Chandni Mahal areas of the national capital have been found infected with the coronavirus.

A senior official said that 75 of the 94 personnel of that company have been found infected so far. Apart from this, a lot of cases are from a BSF unit in Tripura. BSF spokesman Shubhendu Bhardwaj said, “41 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since Wednesday in the BSF carrying out the challenge of securing the border, working with civil administration and other necessary responsibilities.”

A 55-year-old head constable of the CISF posted in Mumbai died after being infected with the coronavirus. The official said that 32 personnel infected with COVID-19 are under treatment. He said that the deceased was stationed at Mumbai International Airport. He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai, where he died on Wednesday.

All the Central Armed Police Forces have about 10 lakh personnel. Meanwhile, the CRPF has proposed to the government a special grant of Rs 50 lakh to the personnel of the Central Paramilitary Forces, who died on duty due to COVID-19. An official said that the force has sent a proposal in this context to the Union Home Ministry.