BSF takes steps to counter drones

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 10

With Pakistan drone activity in border areas increasing, the BSF has stepped up vigil and is devising various counter-measures to deal with the threat.

Most types of drones being used are much smaller than conventional aircraft and since their minuscule radar cross-section and low altitude makes them difficult to track electronically, ground forces have to rely primarily on visual sightings and audio signature to detect them.

“Personnel manning border outposts have been directed to enhance vigil and scan skies regularly with high-powered binoculars. Electronic optical surveillance devices are also being put in place,” a BSF officer said.

“Since visual sightings are an issue at night, more listening posts are being set up or are being relocated for better reception of audio signatures. Some of our operating procedures are also being reviewed and fine-tuned,” he added.

Security agencies are also banking on radio communication emissions and signal intercepts to detect the location of drone control stations as well as the launch and flight of the drones.

“Given the size of a drone, they can be launched from anywhere and at any time, without early warning.” the officer said. 

Drones are used for tactical surveillance in border areas and more recently are reported to have been used to smuggle arms and ammunition across the border into Punjab.

The BSF has also taken to sensitising the populace residing along the border about drones and the threat they pose. Villagers can provide inputs to security agencies about the operation of hostile drones in their respective areas, acting as a force multiplier and filling in possible gaps in border surveillance.

There is growing concern about the use of drones by adversary nation states as well as terrorists and anti-national elements to launch strikes against high-value targets or crowded public places, disrupt air traffic in the vicinity of airports, interfere with communication signals or carry out surveillance.

In May, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had claimed of busting an international racket involving smugglers from Pakistan, China, Myanmar and India to import high-end drones into the country.