NEW DELHI, Nov 4: India has asked its security forces to step up vigil along the border with Pakistan to check possible infiltration by religious extremists who may try to escape the dragnet in Pakistan, Press Trust of India said on Sunday.

It said India’s home ministry has asked the Border Security Forces to step up vigil along the 7,500 km border including Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab.

“We have instructed our personnel deployed along the western border to be on alert keeping in view the developments in Pakistan,” BSF director-general A. K. Mitra told PTI.

Not ruling out chances of “jihadi elements” trying to sneak in from across the border over fears of a crackdown by Pakistan, he said the troops were prepared to thwart any attempts should someone try to take advantage of the situation.

Mr Mitra ruled out deployment of extra personnel to man the border, but said “the existing personnel are well equipped to handle any situation. We are not leaving any stone unturned.”

He said sensitisation among the border force personnel was done as part of the standard operational procedure which was to be adopted at the time of any situation like declaration of emergency in neighbouring countries, PTI said.