Infiltration Routes and Methods — Legal Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019	2019	This amendment empowered the central government to designate individuals as terrorists, not just organizations. It also gave more powers to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate terror cases across states without prior permission from state governments and allowed for attachment of property of individuals designated as terrorists.	Strengthened the legal framework to combat terrorism, including individuals involved in cross-border infiltration. By designating individuals as terrorists, it allows for more targeted action against those who plan, facilitate, or execute infiltration bids, enhancing India's ability to prosecute and deter such activities.
Border Security Force (Amendment) Act, 2021 (via notification)	2021	Through a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the operational jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam. The BSF's powers to arrest, search, and seize were extended from 15 km to 50 km from the international border in these states.	Significantly enhanced the BSF's operational reach and effectiveness in combating cross-border infiltration, smuggling, and other trans-border crimes. This wider jurisdiction allows the BSF to conduct deeper operations, intercept infiltrators further inland, and disrupt support networks more effectively, thereby strengthening the anti-infiltration grid.