In a series of coordinated operations along Punjab’s international border, the Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted two unmanned aerial vehicles, a service pistol, and multiple magazines as part of intensified efforts to thwart airborne smuggling and infiltration attempts.
Officials report that over the past 48 hours, BSF patrols in the Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur sectors have been on high alert following credible intelligence about possible cross-border contraband deliveries.
On Tuesday evening, a joint search operation with local police in the Tarn Taran district turned up a damaged DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone. The unmanned device was discovered in a fallow field adjoining Wan village, roughly two kilometers from the international boundary. BSF sources indicated that the drone appeared to have been rigged for low-altitude flight operations, possibly to ferry narcotics or communication devices across the border.
The following morning, troops on foot patrol in the Ferozepur district spotted suspicious activity near Gatti Rajoke village. A detailed sweep of the area led to the recovery of a 9 mm service pistol, tucked away in crop stubble. Six accompanying magazines, each capable of holding up to 15 rounds, were also seized, suggesting preparations for a more extensive effort to arm local operatives.
In a separate sweep earlier this week, BSF teams in the Amritsar sector recovered yet another drone—this one intact—alongside a loaded pistol and six magazines. Border commanders say this cache underscores the evolving tactics of smugglers who increasingly rely on lightweight, commercially available drones to bypass ground checkpoints.
“Every incursion attempt, whether by land or air, poses a threat to our national security,” stated Inspector General R.K. Sharma of the BSF’s Punjab Frontier. “These seizures highlight the increasing sophistication of cross-border contraband networks, and we remain fully committed to neutralising these threats at the frontier.”
Local residents have voiced relief at the heightened security posture. “We’ve seen drones flying low in the dead of night—sometimes just above our rooftops,” noted a farmer from the Tarn Taran hinterland. “It’s good to know the forces are vigilant.”
The BSF says it will continue joint patrols with state police units, deploy additional electronic surveillance—and, where necessary, employ anti-drone measures—to ensure that any attempt to smuggle weapons, narcotics, or other illicit materials is intercepted well before they can reach civilian areas.
