On April 28, 2025, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced a major step in India’s evolving border security strategy: the deployment of anti-drone systems along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan. This decision comes amid a growing threat from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are increasingly being used to smuggle narcotics and weapons into Indian territory.
The announcement marks the culmination of months of trials and demonstrations, and the deployment will be carried out in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), which is primarily responsible for securing India’s borders during peacetime. The state of Punjab shares a 553-kilometer stretch of border with Pakistan—an area that has, over the past few years, become a hotspot for drone-based smuggling operations.
The Growing Drone Menace
The use of drones by drug traffickers is not new. It began around 2018–2019 with occasional incidents involving large, visible hexacopters. Over time, smugglers have shifted to smaller, more discreet drones. These lightweight UAVs are not only cheaper but also harder to detect due to their minimal audio-visual signatures. They typically carry payloads of around 500 grams, which are attached using cords or adhesive tape. The frequency of their use has grown steadily, turning them into the preferred tool for cross-border contraband operations.
Unlike earlier methods that required physical handovers at or near the border fence—risking exposure to BSF patrols and surveillance—drones now allow traffickers to drop packages deep inside Indian territory. This innovation has significantly expanded the operational range and flexibility for smugglers. The BSF notes that drones can now fly in from Pakistan, drop payloads in pre-selected locations away from checkpoints, and return—all within a matter of minutes.
According to BSF sources, Punjab is the most drone-active frontier among the five BSF-administered sectors along the Pakistan border, followed by the Sriganganagar sector in Rajasthan. Within Punjab, the Amritsar-Tarn Taran belt sees the majority of drone incursions, largely due to its terrain and the density of settlements on both sides of the border.
The scale of the problem is sobering. In the first three months of 2025 alone, the BSF neutralised 55 drones and seized around 62 kilograms of narcotics. In April 2025, they intercepted another 35 drones, confiscating more than 40 kg of narcotics and 25 pistols.
What Are Anti-Drone Systems?
Given the nature of the threat—small, fast-moving drones flying over a wide and often complex terrain—countering them is no easy task. Detection is difficult; neutralisation is even harder. That’s where anti-drone systems, also referred to as Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), come into play.
These systems operate through a mix of technologies:
- Detection: Radar, optical (camera-based), and radio frequency (RF) sensors are used to spot drones in the sky. Some systems also use acoustic detection to pick up the sound signature of drone propellers.
- Tracking: Once detected, drones are tracked using software that calculates their trajectory and potential drop zones.
- Neutralisation: There are two main approaches:
- Soft kill: Jamming the drone’s radio frequencies or GPS to disrupt communication between the drone and its operator. This often causes the drone to crash or return to its origin.
- Hard kill: Physically destroying the drone using guns, missiles, or directed energy weapons like lasers.
Anti-drone systems vary in size and capability. Some are man-portable, allowing rapid deployment over a small area. These typically focus on detection and tracking, with neutralisation managed by other systems. Larger systems, which can be vehicle-mounted or fixed installations, have greater range and can simultaneously track and disable multiple drones.
Trials and Technology Showcases
The move to deploy anti-drone systems follows a series of trials and demonstrations. In March 2025, the Punjab Police organised a showcase at Mullanpur in Mohali district. Three companies from both public and private sectors displayed cutting-edge anti-drone technologies. The event was attended by key Punjab Cabinet ministers, Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora, highlighting the political importance of the issue.
Apart from the Punjab Police and BSF, India’s armed forces—the Army and the Air Force—have their own dedicated anti-drone setups. Additionally, public sector undertakings like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have made significant advancements in this field. Several private Indian startups are also entering the sector, bringing innovation and adaptability to the effort.
Forensics: Unmasking the Origins
An important aspect of the counter-drone initiative is forensic analysis. The BSF recovers and analyses drones to extract valuable data on their origin, flight path, and delivery patterns. The majority of captured drones are identified as being from DJI’s Mavic series—a product of a private Chinese company based in Shenzhen. There have also been instances of crude, locally assembled drones.
To handle this forensic work, the BSF has established specialized workshops, including a major facility in Amritsar set up in August 2024. This center has already examined over 200 drones, helping security agencies refine their countermeasures and adapt to new tactics.
The BSF has also established a dedicated intelligence wing focused on drone and smuggler activity. This team provides real-time inputs, which are often the basis for successful drone interceptions.
The Road Ahead
The deployment of anti-drone systems along Punjab’s border is a strategic necessity, not just a technological upgrade. It is a response to a fast-evolving threat that has blurred the lines between conventional border policing and high-tech warfare. By acting as a second line of defence alongside the BSF, the Punjab Police is attempting to create a more resilient and multi-layered border security apparatus.
But this is not a battle that technology alone can win. It also requires robust intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, and international pressure to disrupt the supply chains and operators behind these drone incursions. As the tools and tactics of smuggling become more sophisticated, India’s response must evolve accordingly.
In that sense, Punjab’s anti-drone deployment is both a milestone and a warning—highlighting how modern threats are redefining the very nature of national security.
