TARN TARAN, May 20 — After more than two weeks of closure due to heightened Indo-Pak border tensions, the Border Security Force (BSF) reopened select gates along the international fence on Monday, allowing limited access for farmers to their fields between the zero line and the fence. However, gates at several other points remain shut, prompting frustration and plans for protests among border farmers.
The closure, which began on May 6 following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, disrupted agricultural activities across Punjab’s border belt. The incident triggered Operation Sindoor—India’s retaliatory strike on May 7—after which Pakistan responded with drone and missile attacks. Though both nations agreed to cease military actions by May 10, the border remained sealed, delaying post-harvest and pre-sowing activities.
On Monday, BSF opened gates in the Khemkaran sector, but farmers in Ajnala were left waiting. “We sent appeals to the Punjab home affairs secretary, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BSF IG. If the gates remain closed, we’ll lose the kharif crop,” said Raghbir Singh Bhangala, a farmer from Tarn Taran.
According to Bhangala, farmers met BSF officials at Khalra, who assured them of gate openings. “But they’re opening only one gate per border outpost (BOP). That’s not practical—each BOP has around four gates. Most of our work remains pending. We’ll press again and stage a protest in Amarkot tomorrow,” he said.
Punjab agriculture minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who visited the Ajnala border on Monday, confirmed broader access will begin from Tuesday. “We understand the farmers’ plight. They will now be able to return to their fields. Punjab and its people will always stand with our armed forces,” Dhaliwal said after meeting BSF officials.
However, farmer leader and AAP functionary Surjit Singh Bhoora warned that partial reopening will not suffice. “The selective gate policy will hinder us. The sowing season is here. We’re mobilizing for a demonstration at Amarkot near Khemkaran,” he said.
Punjab’s border farmers cultivate over 45,000 acres between the 530-kilometre-long international boundary and the fencing, and rely on BSF-controlled gates for daily field access—gates that remain at the intersection of national security and livelihood.
