Aborder outpost,[1]border out post,[2]border observation post[3] orBOP[4][5] is anoutpost maintained by asovereign state on itsborder, usually one of a series placed at regular intervals, to watch over and safeguard its border with a neighboring state with which it may or may not have friendly relations. Such posts are staffed byborder guards and are at all times connected byradio communication with ongoing border patrols in theirregion and the force headquarters in the interior of the country for their day-to-day functioning, passing onintelligence and for requesting supplies and any needed reinforcements in emergencies.
Depending on the length and breadth of a country's borders and geography, they could be located in a wide variety of terrain, including the inhospitable areas that often mark political boundaries.
Border outposts, where available, are built on strategic locations which are usually elevated at the highest points in the local terrain and where possible on hilltops along the border.
Depending uponinternational relations with the neighboring country and localstrategic needs, BOPs are sometimes built with an assortment of a few administration and residential buildings ortents, anarmory,trench,bunkers,wire obstacles, fortifiedmachine gun posts andwatchtowers.
Aflagpole flying the country'snational flag may be located on the premise along with aWireless Communication Antenna and a designated clearing as a make-dohelipad.
Border outposts are staffed in peacetime by the border guard to checksmuggling,infiltration byspies of untrusted neighboring countries,insurgents bent on smuggling weapons and explosives forterrorist attacks andsubversive activities,illegal immigration andhuman trafficking etc.. They usually havewatchtowers where soldiers are posted day and night onsentry duty looking for intruders and illegal cross-border activity of any kind.Patrols go out regularly to patrol the international border to check illegal crossings and track any footprints of those who may have crossed over illegally or attempted to. In case intrusion by foreign elements is confirmed, it is the responsibility of the Border guard based on the BOP to trace the intruders by checking the nearby settlements, villages and towns and inform the law enforcement agencies, Customs and Police authorities.[6][7]
Duringwartime however the border guard, the special forces tasked with patrolling the border in peacetime, withdraw from the Border outposts and provide assistance in a limited capacity to the country's regulararmy which then comes and mans all the border outposts at the international border facing the enemy neighboring country. Wartime assistance of the border guard to the army is essential as they are familiar with the local terrain having patrolled it on a daily basis during peacetime. Duringwars these BOPs are reworked into wellfortified dug-in positions from where regulararmy units can operate to defend the territorial integrity of the country.[6]
Non-military:
