Punjab is currently embroiled in a fierce battle against an escalating drug epidemic that has left a trail of shattered families and blighted communities. This crisis is not confined to local traffickers or small-scale peddlers. Punjab’s drug problem has metastasized into a complex network of organized crime and cross-border trafficking, with Pakistan playing a significant and troubling role in this deadly trade. The increasing sophistication of smuggling operations, particularly the use of drones originating from Pakistan to transport narcotics across the border, is a stark indicator of this involvement. To tackle this crisis effectively, India must hold Pakistan accountable, implement stringent countermeasures, and strengthen cross-border collaborations to dismantle these lethal supply chains.
The Punjab Police’s recent crackdown is commendable, with over 10,000 arrests and seizures totaling hundreds of kilograms of heroin and other narcotics in the past ten months. Yet, these statistics, however impressive, are only a small part of the solution. Behind the individual smugglers and peddlers lie vast networks of organized criminals and cross-border operatives who work tirelessly to pump a steady supply of drugs into Punjab. These are the “big fish” that must be targeted, exposed, and prosecuted publicly to send a clear message: Punjab will not tolerate the devastation of its people for criminal profit.
One of the biggest threats to Punjab’s anti-drug efforts is the influx of narcotics from across the Pakistani border. This threat is no longer limited to human traffickers or traditional smuggling routes but has evolved into an advanced operation using drones to ferry drugs across the border. The Border Security Force (BSF) reports seizing 183 drones this year alone — a sharp increase from 107 in 2023. These drones represent not just a logistical innovation but a brazen challenge to India’s sovereignty and Punjab’s security. Each flight not only carries a deadly payload but also symbolizes Pakistan’s culpability in the devastation of Indian communities through narcotics.
The drones are not isolated incidents; they are a coordinated strategy. Pakistan’s involvement in facilitating these operations — whether by turning a blind eye or actively supporting drug cartels operating near the border — must be acknowledged and addressed at an international level. India must use diplomatic channels to pressure Pakistan into ceasing this destabilizing activity and, failing that, to implement even stronger countermeasures to protect its border and its people. Moreover, this crisis highlights the urgency for India to deploy advanced anti-drone technology along its borders and invest in intelligence-sharing frameworks that enable swift interception of drones before they reach Indian soil.
In addition to countering Pakistani interference, Punjab must adopt a holistic, multi-agency approach to eradicate the drug menace within its borders. While recent crackdowns are promising, the police, judiciary, and central government must work in unison to bring high-profile traffickers to justice swiftly. Naming and shaming the masterminds behind these operations is essential to dismantle the myth of impunity that surrounds them. Swift, transparent judicial proceedings and stringent sentencing will demonstrate that Punjab is unyielding in its fight to protect its communities from this poison.
As Punjab grapples with the fallout from the drug crisis, cross-border collaboration becomes more vital than ever. India should proactively engage with international allies and agencies to highlight Pakistan’s role in this crisis, pushing for collaborative enforcement efforts to monitor and intercept trafficking routes. Intelligence-sharing agreements and joint border security initiatives with other nations would strengthen India’s capacity to detect and disrupt trafficking networks before they reach Punjab. Such collaborations could also help the BSF enhance its technological capabilities in combating drone-based smuggling and border incursions.
Punjab’s drug problem is not an isolated issue; it’s a matter of national security and international responsibility. As long as Pakistan remains a conduit for narcotics flooding into India, Punjab’s efforts will only scratch the surface of this deeply rooted crisis. By confronting Pakistan’s role in this trade, implementing aggressive countermeasures, and leveraging international support, India can work toward eradicating this blight and giving Punjab the chance to recover from decades of devastation.
Punjab stands at a crossroads. It can continue on its current path — a tireless but overwhelming struggle against drugs — or it can redefine its approach to make Pakistan’s involvement a central focus of its strategy. The people of Punjab, especially its youth, deserve a future unmarred by addiction and despair. It’s time for decisive action, both within India and beyond, to restore hope and reclaim Punjab from the shadow of narcotics.
