Countering Pakistan’s covert operations, Punjab beefs up anti-drone defences

High-tech drone interception operations (Rep. Image)

In recent weeks, security agencies monitoring the 532 km Punjab border have observed a new pattern: drones entering from Pakistan are being detected and tracked but often retreat before interception.

These unmanned aerial vehicles, reportedly operated by ISI-backed smugglers, transport arms, including AK-47 rifles, grenades, and drugs, into India. After a brief lull following Operation Sindoor, drone activity has resumed, prompting Indian agencies to reinforce the three anti-drone systems (ADS) deployed along the border.

A senior Punjab Police officer told TOI that the latest drones are equipped with a fail-safe “back-to-home” mechanism. “When their signal link to the base station is jammed or disrupted, they automatically return to their launch point in Pakistan,” he explained.

“Technology changes every day. What we face now is a tech challenge in our war against ISI-backed smuggling,” he added. Despite this, anti-drone units maintain a high detection rate, tracking eight to ten drones daily, sometimes even fifteen. “Most attempts are foiled, either by bringing the drones down or forcing them to return,” he said, emphasising the need for at least 100 ADS units for broader border coverage.

Under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, the Punjab government deployed three vehicle-mounted ADS units in the first phase, launched on August 9 in Tarn Taran by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Nine systems are planned, at a cost of around Rs 51 crore.

Since deployment, Tarn Taran police have filed 12 FIRs and arrested suspects in Bhikhiwind subdivision for receiving contraband via drones. Seized items include four pistols, 75 bullets, five magazines, over 3kg heroin, 492g of ICE, and 506g of opium.

Bhikhiwind DSP Preetinder Singh said the ADS has been “very effective” in combating drone-based smuggling. “Earlier, we relied on sound to track drones, but now we get exact coordinates, speed, altitude, and other parameters,” he noted. He added that while jamming can neutralise drones within range, detection remains vital for recoveries and arrests when jamming fails.