Shri Rakesh Sharma, former Inspector General Border Security Force is one of the top rated Border Management and Industrial Security professionals in India with experience across entire spectrum of the border security domain. He joined BSF in 1984 as Assistant Commandant (Direct Entry) and commanded Jammu Frontier, considered as the most sensitive and one of the largest Frontiers in India. He is an expert in Border Control, Border Policing and immigration, Border Area Development, Industrial Security and Risk Analysis and multi-agency coordination/liaison.

He has served in almost all theatres of the Border Guarding Force in diverse security and operational environment and has held crucial and important assignments in field, staff, command and training. The officer is recipient of President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2006 and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2012 besides several Commendations from Directors General BSF and National Security Guards (NSG).

He is a postgraduate in Physics and has attended various training programmes with Indian Army, Civil, Police, NSG and BSF establishments and also overseas with United Nations in Italy. The officer has vast experience of handling internal security and critical security situations on the line of control and international border in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan on the western frontiers with Pakistan and Tripura on the eastern frontiers with Bangladesh.

His area of expertise includes Border Management, resolution of border conflicts, strategic advice on border related issues, anti-smuggling, security audit and operations, manual and electronics based surveillance systems, induction of new equipment into Police Forces, VVIP Security, intelligence, logistics and inter agency coordination having worked with mixed organizations and in multicultural environment including a deputation of five years with the elite NSG. He has further gained experience in the field of industrial security   after working as Consultant (Security and administration) with Public Sector Undertaking NALCO for five years.

Professional Courses/Programmes

Has undergone various professional courses/programmes: -

• Battalion Signal Officer Course from BSF Signal Trg School, New Delhi to acquaint with communication set up/latest technological development and broaden the horizons in improving of communication set up and technology.

• Combat Phase-I(Platoon weapon) from Central School of Weapons and Tactics Indore – to attain proficiency in  weapon  handling, surveillance equipments and  efficient fire discipline.

• Young officers’ commando course from BSF Academy Tekanpur – to be physically fit and mentally robust, develop strong leadership qualities, to lead troops and operate under adverse conditions.

• Company Commander (Tactical) from BSF Academy Tekanpur – to command a Company having strength of about 150 personnel effectively for border management role, LC scenario, during war and in no war no peace environment.

• Fleet Management from BSF Academy Tekanpur- to improve knowledge of driving, care and maintenance of vehicles and management of Motor Transport Fleet both during peace and war.

• Senior Command Course from BSF Academy Tekanpur – to discharge the duties of the Commandant of the Unit and staff appointment at higher HQrs and to deal with various operational situations on the international borders and line of control.

• Defence Security module Level -2 Course from IDSA, New Delhi – to acquire proficiency in various defense security modules in view of prevailing scenario.

• Role of Technology in Crime and Prevention from IIT Mumbai -  to acquaint with  various latest  technological innovations in border crimes and border management.

• Leadership Management  development programme from IIM Indore - to handle uncertainty, solve multi-dimensional problems, deal with interconnected systems and   effectively manage people and processes up and down.

• Performance management programme from MDI Gurgaon - to ensure that employees' activities and outcomes are congruent with the organization’s objectives and result in successfully implementing the strategy.

• Training on Formed Police Units, their training, deployment and logistic support on various United Nation Missions at International Peace Keeping Mission from Centre of Excellence of Police Stability  Units in  Italy.

Work Experience

1981-1982 :   Trained and worked with Jammu and Kashmir Bank as an executive. In a short period learnt the nuances of accounting and bookkeeping.

1982-1983 :   Trained with Jammu and Kashmir Police as Technical Officer. Learnt the basic policing and had an insight into Police Communication systems.

1984-1989 : During initial years of service, effectively   commanded a BSF Company of a strength of about 150 personnel on International Border in border management as well as on the high altitude of Kargil area online of Control in Ladakh region. Gained experience in deployment of detachments and ground level operations and administration.

1989-1999 :  Promoted to the rank of Deputy commandant and subsequently second in command of a BSF battalion.  In addition to commanding a Company, on the IB, also held staff appointment dealing with HR matters at the BSF HQs.

1999-2002 : Promoted to the rank of Commandant in 1999 and successfully commanded a BSF Battalion having strength of over 1200 personnel deployed on the international border for border management and subsequently on counter insurgency operations. Was responsible for surveillance and security of 300 kms border.

2003-2008 Served on deputation with elite National Security Guard (NSG) as Group Commander. Force is specialized in counter terrorist and special operations and VVIP Security.   Was instrumental in procurement of weapon systems, special purpose vehicles and electronic gadgetry as part of the modernization of the Force.

2008-2014 : Promoted as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in 2008 and served in Kashmir as DIG(Operations).   Was instrumental in planning and coordination of operations for combating militancy in the valley  as well as serious law and order situation without any human right violations and a sector commander on the international border

As DIG, also commanded two prestigious training institutions of the Force including Basic Training Centre and  Centre of Excellence of Training on weapons and Tactics  CSWT Indore, responsible for training BSF personnel and other police officers including IPS Probationers.

2014-16 : Promoted as Inspector General Border Security Force and commanded one of the most sensitive, challenging, unique and largest Jammu  Frontier of the Force deployed on International border for border management , Line of Control as well as in Counter Insurgency and Anti Infiltration Operations with the strength of more than 20,000 personnel effectively in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. During this period the complete IB in Jammu was put under the high-tech electronic surveillance grid, introducing the concept of smart fencing, the laser wall and intrusion detection system as a result the infiltrations were reduced to near zero on this border. Introduced the concept of comprehensive border management system (CBMS), integrating all surveillance devices in one grid with command and control system. Jammu BSF frontier during this period was adjudged as the “Best Frontier in Border Management “and was awarded a scroll and citation by the union home minister on 01 Dec 2015. Responsibilities included operations, administration and logistics of 20,000 strong force.

Special mention

The role of Shri Rakesh Sharma, IG BSF Jammu was highly applauded by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Union Home Minister and various highest dignitaries while discharging the duties as Frontier IG in border management In this context it is prudent to highlight that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India during his visit of Jammu set aside the laid down protocol to specially call for the IG, Jammu Frontier Shri Rakesh Sharma and personally congratulated him for the professional conduct of the Force in border management and unmatchable feat to do the BSF and country proud.

Honors & Decorations

For illustrious career, he has been conferred with:-

• President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2006

• President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2012.

• 08 times BSF Director General’s Commendation Roll.

• 01 NSG Director General’s Commendation Roll.

• 01 Army Commander’s Commendation Card.

Immediate previous occupation

Worked as Security and administration Consultant for approximately five years with a large PSU National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO), Asia’s largest Alumina Refinery, Bauxite mines and power plants in the state of Odisha, since 15 Dec 16.  Was responsible for security and safety of industrial assets and administration of two large fully integrated townships. Also responsible for coordination with CISF, local police and Private Security Agencies. He has independently carried out risk analysis and developed a robust security plan for a green field project.

Languages Known: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Dogri