The Border Security Force (BSF) has pinpointed new areas of concern for drone activity after analysing the flight paths of drones that have been shot down recently. These areas, predominantly in Punjab with some scattered in other regions, have raised suspicions of increased drone movements and officials attribute this trend to potential involvement from Pakistan Rangers.
Following a thorough examination by top officials, these areas have been earmarked for heightened surveillance and technical monitoring. A recent visit by senior officers to hotspots of drone sightings further reinforced the need to designate these zones as high-risk areas for drone activity.
During the analysis, it was discovered that drones were operated from locations near the offices of Pakistan Rangers. Notably, Amritsar has recorded the highest percentage of drone movements this year, followed closely by Gurdaspur. Of the numerous sightings, around 90 per cent have occurred in the Amritsar region alone.
In one particularly alarming incident on January 19, BSF troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition near the bordering area of Firozpur district. The discovery included an AK-47 assault rifle, two rounds of ammunition, 40 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber, and cash concealed in a carefully wrapped package within a white gunny sandbag. This incident underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by drones in smuggling contraband across the border.
According to a top-level official, the concern is about the new tactics used by Pakistan in sending drones with drugs, arms etc.
“Recently, a drone from Jaisalmer which was suspected to be used to supply arms and ammunition had a dead pigeon tied on it. Officials said this was to fool troops. It is expected that Pakistan will try such more ways to send drugs, arms and ammunition to India,” a senior BSF official said.
Another challenge that BSF as well as local police have noticed is that Pakistan has shifted its strategy to send drugs, arms, and ammunition using high-end, expensive drones which can fly very high. These HD drones can fly at significant altitudes and carry heavy payloads with increased speed, posing a challenge to the security forces deployed at the Indo-Pak border.
According to data of the past two months, the Border Security Force has apprehended close to 20 drones. Priced between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 11 lakh in the market, these drones signify a change in Pakistan’s approach. In fact, all the drones shot down by BSF this year are high-value drones.
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