Chandigarh, March 13: Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa stated on Friday that the current security framework has struggled to manage the rising challenges of narco-terrorism and drone-based smuggling in Punjab. Speaking in Chandigarh, the former Deputy Chief Minister asserted that the state is facing an atmosphere of insecurity due to the frequent infiltration of weapons and drugs from across the border.
Randhawa declared that the recovery of 272 drones in 2025 highlights a significant gap in border surveillance. He affirmed that while drone smuggling cases have risen from three in 2021 to 179 in 2024, the central government has not yet provided the Border Security Force (BSF) with necessary anti-drone technology or additional personnel. The MP maintained that the international border should be treated as a priority for national security.
The lawmaker noted that more than 21 target killings were recorded between late 2025 and early 2026, claiming the lives of political workers and sportsmen. He maintained that foreign-based criminal networks continue to operate with ease, using encrypted platforms to manage extortion and kidnappings.
“The central and state governments must clarify when the BSF will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems to halt these drones,” Randhawa stated. He further asserted that the lack of a permanent Director General of Police has led to a reliance on ad-hoc leadership, which he believes has weakened the law enforcement response in sensitive border districts like Amritsar and Ferozepur.
