Seized 33 kg drugs, downed 45 drones along border this year, say BSF officials

The Border Security Force (BSF) has seized about 33 kg of narcotics and neutralised 45 hostile drones along the International Border in Punjab during the first nine weeks of this year.

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In addition, 19 illegal weapons, including pistols and shotguns, have been recovered and 15 persons suspected to be involved in smuggling have been apprehended in the vicinity of the border so far this year, BSF sources said.

Last year, the border guarding force had seized 283 kg of heroin along the border in Punjab while neutralising 294 drones, a substantial increase from 107 drones in 2023.

Additionally, four Pakistani intruders were shot and 161 Indian smugglers along with 30 Pakistani nationals were apprehended from the border.

According to BSF officials, the largest single-day recovery this year was on January 16, when 9.1 kg of heroin was recovered in different operations. This year’s single biggest haul was 8.56 kg in the Amritsar Sector.

Other major recoveries this year so far have been 4.3 kg of narcotics on February 16 from Amritsar, Ferozepur and Tarn Taran sectors and 3.2 kg on January 4 from the Amritsar and Gurdaspur areas.

Most of the drug consignments recovered by the BSF had been dropped by drones originating from Pakistan. China-made Mavick series drones, being used for smuggling, carry a packet weighing 450-550 gm, mostly wrapped in a yellow adhesive tape.

The BSF has developed its own intelligence wing to monitor the movement of drones and smugglers in border regions and many of its operations are based on these inputs. In addition, regular coordination meetings to share information and coordinate operations with other law enforcement agencies are also conducted.

In the past two months, the BSF carried out 10 joint operations in border areas with the Punjab Police to counter drug smuggling, leading to apprehension of suspects as well as recovery of drugs, drones and other items like motorcycles and mobile phones, a BSF official said.

The BSF is responsible for the peacetime management of the International Border with Pakistan running through the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Out of this, 553 km lies in Punjab. While most of the border is fenced, some riverine stretches along the course of the Sutlej are unfenced and difficult to guard and patrol because of the terrain.