BSF intercepts 16 drones, seizes 16 kg narcotics in 1 week along IB
The Border Security Force (BSF) has reported a significant rise in drone interceptions along the International Border in Punjab, with 16 drones being recovered in just the past week. This marks the highest number of drone-related incidents in a single week, surpassing the previous record of 10. In addition to the drone seizures, the BSF also seized approximately 16 kg of narcotics and arrested two individuals suspected of smuggling.
Between November 9 and 15, the BSF intercepted or shot down 16 drones, mostly in the Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur sectors. A BSF officer noted, “This is the highest number of drone incidents we have recorded in a single week.” These drones, believed to be originating from Pakistan, are used primarily to smuggle narcotics, weapons and fake currency into India.
So far this year, the BSF has recovered 216 drones, compared to just 107 in all of 2023. In the past 24 hours, the BSF made several significant seizures. In four separate incidents near the Amritsar sector, the force seized 5.9 kg of heroin, recovered two China-made drones and arrested a suspect. In one incident, seven packets of heroin, weighing about 3.8 kg, were found abandoned in fields. In another, a drone along with 545 grams of heroin was discovered.
In a third operation, a suspect was arrested with 1.6 kg of heroin on the outskirts of Amritsar. During a joint search with Punjab Police, another drone was recovered.
On November 13, the BSF made another major heroin seizure of 6.5 kg. Intelligence inputs led them to two separate locations near the border, where they recovered packets of heroin wrapped in yellow adhesive tape and marked with rings and illuminating strips, indicating they had been dropped by drones. Four packets weighing 4.45 kg were found in the Gurdaspur sector, while two packets totalling 2 kg were discovered in the Amritsar sector.
The BSF has also reported multiple incidents of multiple drones being intercepted on the same day. On November 12, four drones were shot down across the Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Amritsar sectors, along with narcotics seizures. On November 9, four drones were neutralised in separate incidents across Punjab.
Drones have become the preferred method of smuggling due to their ability to bypass the border fence and avoid detection by patrols. These small flying machines can fly at low altitudes, making them harder to detect. The BSF has developed specific drills and countermeasures to detect and neutralize drones, relying on visual and audio observations. A limited number of anti-drone systems have also been deployed along the border.
Punjab remains the most active border sector in terms of drug smuggling, with the Sriganganagar area in Rajasthan following closely behind. In contrast, the Jammu and Kashmir frontier deals primarily with infiltration and weapons smuggling, while the southern Rajasthan and Gujarat frontiers see fewer such incidents due to less densely populated border regions.
