Newly recruited constables participate in the passing out parade at Hazaribagh on Saturday. Picture by Vishvendu Jaipuriar

Meru (Hazaribagh), Aug. 21: With the pledge of “duty unto death” on their lips, 123 constables passed out of the BSF training centre and school in Meru today.

At the passing out parade at Rani Jhansi Parade Ground in Meru, 12km from the district headquarters, deputy inspector-general of the centre, Sanjiv Krishnan Sood passed tips on selfless service to the constables, urging them to face challenges with confidence and patience.

“This is a rare moment in your life as trainees,” he told the pass-outs, who underwent a rigorous 38-week foundation course that include internal security duty, human rights, training in use of arms and ammunition, physical training, drill, intelligence training and boxing.

Sood hoped the training would help the constables serve the country honestly and that they would make BSF proud. He said the constables would be posted either in border areas or made a part of campaigns to combat terrorists and Maoists.

The deputy inspector-general lauded acting commandant B.P.S Chauhan, deputy commandant M.S. Khair and company commander Devendra Gulati for successfully training the constables.

Of the 123 constables, 78 belong to Uttar Pradesh, 39 to Himachal Pradesh and six from other places. Their training had begun on October 26, 2009.

Sanjay Bisht ranked first in the training programme, followed by Ramesh Chandra Yadav. Vineet Kumar stood first in drill, Gautam Rishi topped physical training, while Gautam Rishi was the best shooter.

Later, the toppers performed the bhangra.

The BSF training centre had acquired the status of a centre for excellence from the Centre few years earlier, because of its advance training on counter-insurgency operations, counter-terrorism and bomb disposal.

The centre also attracts batches from neighbouring countries seeking advance training for new recruits as well as senior officers.