Switch in Strategy: Pak Now Using Expensive, HD Drones to Smuggle Arms, Drugs Into India | Exclusive

The challenge of intercepting drones originating from across the international borders has got more complicated for Indian security forces with Pakistan switching up its strategy by using expensive, high-end drones to smuggle drugs, arms and ammunition into the country. These new HD drones can fly at significant altitudes and carry heavy payloads with increased speed, posing a challenge to the security forces deployed at the India-Pakistan border.

According to data from the last two months, the Border Security Force has apprehended close to 20 such drones, all of which are manufactured by Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI) based in China. These drones, priced between 1.5 lakh rupees to 12 lakh rupees in the market, signal a shift in Pakistan’s strategy.

Top sources told News18 that Pakistan previously used cheap drones, but is now using drones of different models exclusively from a single company.

“In the last two months, we have intercepted four drones worth close to 12 lakh rupees. These are HD drones with high speeds, capable of operating in temperatures ranging from minus-20 degree to 50 degree Celsius, equipped with multi-dimensional sensing and positioning. They can fly for almost one hour and cover distances of 80-90km on a single charge,” said a senior BSF official.

Another notable change observed by the forces is that these drones can fly at very high altitudes, making it difficult for security forces to detect them. Officials also anticipate changes in drone movement during the winter months.

On the morning of November 20, a joint search operation was launched by the BSF and Punjab Police on the outskirts of Mehdipur village in Tarn Taran district based on specific information about the presence of a drone.

“The recovered drone is a Quadcopter (Model – DJI Matrice RTK 300, made in China). Yet another attempt by smugglers to transport narcotics via drone was thwarted by the BSF and Punjab Police,” stated the BSF.

According to the company’s website, the DJI Matrice RTK 300 costs around 12 lakh rupees. The BSF has seized approximately four such drones in the past 60 days.

Another type of drone, the DJI Mavic 3 classic, costs around 1.5 lakh rupees as per the company website. The BSF has intercepted or shot down around one-and-a-half dozen such drones. The total cost of drones seized or intercepted by the BSF, along with the Punjab Police, is close to 60 lakh rupees.

“Previously, we used to engage cheap drones with low-quality builds. But now it appears that Pakistan has invested in the latest technology, considering the heightened border security measures by Indian forces, to transport arms, ammunition, and drugs,” said a senior BSF official.