In 10 months, 183 drones sent from Pakistan seized along border in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Over the last ten months, a record 183 drones have been recovered by the Border Security Force (BSF) in the vicinity of the International Border in Punjab, a noticeable increase over 107 recovered in 2023. Originating from Pakistan, these drones are used to smuggle narcotics, arms and ammunition.

An many as five drones along with a pistol and nearly 2 kg heroin were recovered from different parts of Punjab on October 30. Over the past week alone, the BSF intercepted 15 drones, caught nine suspected drug traffickers and seized about 9 kg heroin. On an average, four to five drones are recovered in a week. “This substantial haul highlights not only the extent of narcotics attempts but also the strategic planning employed by the traffickers,” a BSF statement said.

BSF sources revealed that till October 30, they had also taken into custody 77 persons suspected to be involved in cross-border smuggling and seized 219 kg heroin, 15 kg opium, 34 pistols, 45 magazines and 405 rounds of ammunition — all believed to have been dropped by drones.

Sources, however, caution that there could also be a number of drone infiltrations that may have gone undetected. The BSF has devised drills and procedures to detect and neutralise drones, which are largely based on visual and audio observations. A limited number of anti-drone systems have also been put in place.

Among the BSF’s five frontiers along Pakistan, Punjab is the most active as far drug smuggling is concerned, followed by the Sriganganagar area in Rajasthan Frontier due to the proximity of dense habitations and numerous link roads along the border.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir frontiers involves infiltration and influx of weapons, while southern Rajasthan and Gujarat, being sparsely populated in border regions, witness fewer such incidents.

Barring a few drones that had been assembled locally, possibly from parts sourced from discarded drones or components and kits available commercially, all recovered drones are DJI Mavic series manufactured in China by a private firm based in Shenzhen, according to the BSF.

The Mavic series, of which there are several variants, are small quadcopters weighing less than 1 kg. They can fly at speeds up to 75 kmph, reach an altitude of 6,000 m and have an endurance of around 40 minutes.