Tuesday, September 6, 2011

'Floodlit' Indo-Pak border can be seen from space as 'bright orange line'



London, Sept 6 (ANI): An image of the earth, taken from the International Space Station last month, shows a bright orange line jutting across the earth, indicating the border between India and Pakistan.

The spectacular image showing the floodlit border was taken by Expedition 28 International Space Station Crew on August 21, the Daily Mail reports.
The Indian Government had sanctioned a move to erect floodlights along the terrain separating India and Pakistan in the Gujarat sector in 2003 in order to prevent smuggling and arms trafficking, the report said.
In previous years, the border has regularly seen attempts at infiltration by terrorists, as well as the smuggling of arms, ammunition and contraband, the report added.
Officials have so far erected floodlights along 286 miles (460 km) of Indian border with the Pakistani state of Punjab, the report said.
In total, the Indian Government hopes to cover 1248 miles (2009 km) of the 1800-mile (2900 km) Indo-Pak border with floodlights, the report added.
The extensive floodlighting continues for 635 miles (1022 km) across Rajasthan, 109 miles (176 km) across the Jammu international border, and 125 miles (202 km) through Gujarat, the report said.
Plans are in place to erect a total 1269 miles (2043 km) of fencing along the nation's border, and the Indian Government hopes to have completely finished the floodlight operation by March 2012, the report added.
Pakistani cities of Lahore and Islamabad as well as Indian capital New Delhi can also be seen in the dramatic picture. (ANI)