In 2024, the use of drones for trafficking heroin, arms, and ammunition has escalated into a significant security concern for the Border Security Force (BSF) and allied intelligence agencies. Despite the implementation of advanced counter-drone measures, the year witnessed a sharp rise in unauthorized drone incursions, with the Amritsar border belt emerging as the primary hotspot for such activities.
The BSF reported intercepting a total of 286 drones along the 553-kilometer India-Pakistan border in Punjab this year. Of these, a staggering 164 drones were detected and neutralized in the Amritsar area alone, followed by Tarn Taran, where 75 drones were confiscated. This marks a substantial increase from last year’s 107 interceptions across the entire Punjab border belt. Alarmingly, in just the past 45 days, security forces have intercepted 86 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), highlighting the growing sophistication and frequency of drone-based smuggling operations.
Punjab Police officials, serving as the second line of defense, have raised concerns that numerous drones successfully deliver their illicit consignments before evading detection. “A significant portion of the contraband and advanced weaponry seized this year were smuggled through drones,” a senior police official stated. The official further revealed that explosives used in recent attacks on police establishments were also trafficked from Pakistan via these aerial devices.
Investigations into the compromised drones have uncovered evidence suggesting that some consignments were retrieved by smugglers on Indian soil before the UAVs were seized. This tactic underscores the adaptability of trafficking networks in circumventing security measures.
The BSF’s efforts have also led to substantial seizures and arrests. Throughout the year, 280 kilograms of high-grade heroin were confiscated, with 115 kilograms intercepted in Amritsar and 58 kilograms in Tarn Taran. Additionally, 36 pistols were seized, and 159 individuals were apprehended, including 92 trans-border drug traffickers and 67 other suspects. Among the detainees were 30 Pakistani intruders, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one Afghan national. The BSF also neutralized four Pakistani infiltrators, three of whom were intercepted near the Amritsar border.
A BSF official highlighted that GPS tracking of the drones points to the involvement of Pakistan-based agencies in orchestrating these intrusions. “Our technical counter-measures have significantly enhanced our ability to detect and neutralize these threats promptly,” the official remarked. He emphasized that the BSF is intensifying its efforts to bolster counter-drone capabilities to address the escalating threat effectively.
As drone technology continues to advance, the BSF and Punjab Police remain on high alert, striving to stay ahead of trafficking networks that exploit aerial platforms to undermine national security. The persistent rise in drone-based smuggling operations underscores the need for sustained and innovative security strategies to protect India’s borders from evolving threats.
