CHANDIGARH, April 29 – In a coordinated push to stem the rising tide of drone-based smuggling from across the border, Punjab Police will begin deploying anti-drone systems along the India-Pakistan International Border, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced.
The systems, developed by public and private sector firms, will function as a second line of defence in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF), which patrols the 553-km-long frontier in Punjab during peacetime.
“The threat from cross-border drones is evolving rapidly, and we are responding with layered technology-based solutions,” Yadav said.
“The trials have been completed, and deployment will begin in phases in coordination with the BSF.”
Anti-drone technology demonstrations were conducted in March at Mullanpur, Mohali, where state ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora attended the trials showcasing counter-drone capabilities from three firms.
The technology is expected to detect and neutralize drones used for smuggling narcotics and arms into Indian territory.
Smuggling by Drone: A Growing Threat
Since 2018–19, the use of drones by Pakistani smugglers has steadily increased, beginning with larger hexacopters and evolving into the use of compact, low-signature quadcopters. These smaller models, often carrying payloads of up to 500 grams suspended by cords or tape, have become the preferred method for trafficking drugs and weapons into Punjab.
“Larger drones have become rare,” said a BSF official. “Smugglers now favor smaller, less detectable ones that are harder to trace and easier to operate remotely.”
The drones allow smugglers to bypass the risks of approaching the fenced border directly. By choosing remote drop locations far from patrol paths, traffickers reduce the likelihood of interception. Punjab’s Amritsar-Tarn Taran belt remains the most active corridor for such drone incursions, followed by the Sriganganagar region in Rajasthan.
Enforcement Response
According to BSF data, 55 drones were neutralized in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with 62 kilograms of narcotics recovered. In April, another 35 drones were intercepted, leading to the seizure of over 40 kg of drugs and 25 pistols.
“These aren’t isolated incidents,” said a senior BSF source. “We are witnessing a sustained and organized pattern, and responding accordingly.”
The BSF employs a mix of manual and technological responses to counter these incursions, working alongside the Army and Air Force, which also maintain their own counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
Technology and Tactics
Anti-drone systems rely on radar, optical sensors, and radio frequency monitoring to detect and track aerial threats. These are paired with neutralization methods, either through “soft kills” like jamming or spoofing signals, or “hard kills” involving projectiles, lasers, or directed energy.
Systems range in complexity—from portable detection units used by ground patrols to larger, vehicle-mounted platforms capable of simultaneously tracking and engaging multiple drones across wider zones.
Multiple Indian companies, including start-ups, have entered the field alongside public sector giants like Bharat Electronics Limited and DRDO, offering indigenous solutions tailored to varied operational demands.
Forensics and Intelligence
Recovered drones, often of the DJI Mavic series manufactured in Shenzhen, China, undergo forensic examination in BSF labs located in Delhi and Amritsar. Since its inception in August 2024, the Amritsar drone forensic workshop has analyzed over 200 drones, helping map out smuggling routes and identify operational tactics.
“Each drone recovered is a trove of intelligence,” said a BSF engineer at the Amritsar lab. “We examine flight paths, payload modifications, and sometimes even retrieve data logs that link back to handlers across the border.”
The BSF has also bolstered its intelligence operations, using local inputs and surveillance to plan interceptions. Many successful seizures stem from this preemptive intelligence network, which continues to expand.
“The drone threat is dynamic,” said DGP Yadav. “We are adapting our systems, training, and partnerships to counter it effectively. Our goal is not just response—but deterrence.”
