Expressing apprehensions of a Taliban attack in Punjab, BSF IG Himmat Singh on Monday said the force had received intelligence inputs regarding a possible threat to the state from Islamic fundamentalist groups. “But we are alert, and fully prepared to stop any attack,” he added.

He said there was a need to replace the damaged 125 kilometres of fencing on the Indo-Pak border, of the total 450 km, and the BSF had already written to the government to get funds for the work.

He was talking to the media on the occasion of 44th Raising Day of the BSF. He said in the last one year, 117.3 kilogram heroin had been seized from the border area and 35 Pakistani nationals nabbed. Fifty-six Indian nationals had also been arrested, apart from gunning down three Pakistanis and one Bangladesh national. “Fake currency of Rs 64 lakh and 17 weapons were also recovered, he added.