The challenge of dealing with aerial threats has surpassed that of ground-based threats
By Manish Shukla
The Border Security Force (BSF) deployed on the India–Pakistan border is facing a significant challenge in thwarting enemy plots from both land and air. With the increasing use of drones by terrorist organizations and criminal syndicates to supply drugs and weapons to India, the BSF has deployed a drone-hunting team at the border post to counter this threat.
According to a BSF report, 97drones have been seized on the Indian border with Pakistan from January 1 to June 15 this year, with 90 of them being seized on the Punjab border alone. Indian intelligence agencies have reported that a large number of drones are being used to supply weapons and drugs from Pakistan to India.
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The challenge of dealing with aerial threats has surpassed that of ground-based threats. To prevent any suspicious movement from land, fencing has been installed along the Indian border. Soldiers responsible for guarding the border from Jammu to Gujarat maintain a vigilant watch 24/7 throughout the year, patrolling the border to prevent any suspicious activity. The aerial threats from drones, which is a newer and more complex threat compared to traditional ground-based threats. While fencing and round-the-clock surveillance by soldiers help to secure the border, the emergence of drone technology has added a new layer of complexity to border security.
Indian intelligence agencies have reported that a large number of drones are being used to supply weapons and drugs from Pakistan to India. The BSF has deployed a drone-hunting team at the border post to counter this threat, resulting in a significant number of drones being caught. In 2022, the BSF detected over 311 Pakistani drones attempting to enter Indian Territory, with 258 instances reported on the Punjab border alone.
Indian security agencies believe there could be various reasons behind the increased drone activity. In the past, it has been observed that due to the tight vigilance at the border, terrorist groups have found it challenging to infiltrate into India easily. As a result, narco-terrorist groups have adopted a new strategy to supply weapons and funding for their activities by sending consignments of drugsand weaponsvia drones.
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According to security experts, drones may be used to facilitate terrorist infiltration. Cameras installed in these drones can be used to conduct surveillance on Indian security forces. There is a constant threat of drone attacks on security forces and army camps. In 2021, a similar attack was carried out on the Jammu Air Force station, where a drone was used to drop explosives inside the air base. According to security agencies, terrorists had planned to use explosive-laden drones to target Air Force helicopters and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. However, the drones missed their target, and a major disaster was averted. This incident marked the first time a military station in the country was targeted using drones.
The BSF is using technology to counter the drone threat, studying the chips used in seized Pakistani drones to gather information on their programming and launch locations. This has helped Indian agencies identify the locations in Pakistan where the drones are being launched from. BSFhas deployed counter-drone systems, including drone jammers, at specific locations near the Indo-Pak border where drone activity is significantly higher compared to other areas.
According tosources from the Central Security establishment, a drone storage center has been set up in Lahore, where Chinese-made drones are being stored and used to supply weapons and drugs to India. It is suspected that the center is being run by the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group, which has also been recruiting criminals to launch drones from the Pakistani side. The drones are being launched from Sialkot and Narowal in Pakistan and are being used to supply weapons and drugs to Punjab’s Dera Baba Nanak and Gurdaspur areas.
According to experts, Chinese-made drones are readily available for prices ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, and their affordability makes them easily accessible to terrorists and criminals in large numbers.
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The BSF’s efforts have resulted in a significant number of drones being caught, and the force is now able to seize drones more easily than before. The BSF’s vigilance and efforts to counter the drone threat have ensured the safety and security of the border and the country.
During the winter season, most areas in India and Pakistan experience fog, which leads to an increase in drone activities from Pakistan. The fog makes it difficult to spot drone movement, but the deployment of drone-hunting teams and anti-drone systems along the border has enabled the BSF to gain better control over enemy drones.
With nearly two decades in Journalism, the author covers Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs. His expertise covers a wide range of crucial subjects, including terror-related cases, Jammu and Kashmir, India-Pakistan relations, and India-China relations.
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