- विज्ञापन -
The India-Pakistan border, particularly in Punjab, has long been a hotspot for smuggling and security threats, but the emergence of drones as a tool for tracking contraband has escalated the challenge to unprecedented levels. Over the past few years, Pakistan-based smugglers, with apparent complicity from Pakistani Rangers and intelligence agencies, have exploited drone technology to ferry narcotics, weapons, and explosives into Punjab, fuelling a drug crisis, arming terrorist networks, and destabilizing the region.
This article explores the scale of the drone menace, the role of Pakistani authorities, and potential solutions to curb this growing threat.
The Rise of the Drone Menace in Punjab
Punjab’s 553 km border with Pakistan, spanning districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Fazilka, has become a primary corridor for drone-assisted smuggling.
The Border Security Force (BSF) reported a dramatic surge in drone activity, with 77 sightings in 2020, 104 in 2021, 311 in 2022, and 400- 500 in 2023, of which 119 drones were shot down or recovered. In 2024, the BSF neutralized 270 drones by November, compared to 105 in all of 2023, indicating a sharp escalation. These drones, primarily Chinese-made models like the DJI Mavic 3 Classic and hexacopters, carry payloads of 0.5-9 kg, including heroin, opium, pistols, AK-47 rifles, grenades, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In 2023, the BSF seized 442.39 kg of heroin, 23 weapons, and 505 rounds of ammunition in Punjab, largely dropped by drones.
A forensic analysis of a drone recovered in Amritsar in 2022 revealed it had flown 28 times in Pakistan’s Punjab province and even in Shanghai, China, suggesting sophisticated networks.
The drones exploit Punjab’s terrain—fertile plains and fog-prone winters—flying low, silently, and at night to evade detection. They drop contraband in border villages, often using GPS and high-resolution cameras, with payloads retrieved by local accomplices. This has aggravated Punjab’s drug crisis, with 60% of drug smuggling in 2023 attributed to drones, contributing to widespread addiction, particularly among youth.
Pakistani Rangers and ISI Complicity
Evidence points to the complicity of Pakistan’s Rangers and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in facilitating drone smuggling. In 2022, intelligence sources revealed that the ISI, in concert with Pakistani Rangers, established six drone centres along the border to smuggle arms and drugs, operating near Ranger outposts in areas like Khemkaran.
Forensic data from 2024 showed drones launched from sites near Pakistani Ranger establishments in Lahore, with 184 sorties targeting Amritsar alone. The involvement of state actors is further indicated by the technical sophistication of drone operations. Modifying drones to carry heavy payloads or fly silently requires expertise, likely provided by Pakistan’s military or ISI. Terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), backed by the ISI, use drones to arm operatives, as seen in the 2021 Jammu Air Force Station attack, where drones dropped IEDs.
Smugglers also collaborate with Pakistan-based handlers, with video calls intercepted by the BSF revealing coordination with ISI-linked operatives.
The Pakistani establishment benefits from this narcoterrorism nexus, which generates funds—heroin prices jump from $6,000/ kg in Pakistan to $120,811/kg in Punjab—and destabilizes India by fueling militancy and drug addiction. The Rangers’ failure to curb drone launches from their jurisdiction, despite India’s protests, suggests tacit approval or active support.
How Smugglers Exploit Drones
Smugglers have adapted drone technology to outpace traditional border security. Initially spotted in 2019, drones replaced older methods like human couriers, underground p i p e s, a n d c a r r i e r pigeons due to their contractiveness and low risk.
Key tactics include
Stealth Operations: Drones fly at altitudes up to 1 km, emit minimal sound, and operate without lights, making them hard to detect, especially in foggy conditions.
Payload Delivery: Contraband is attached via hooks or dropped in bottles (e.g., Pepsi bottles stuffed with drugs), with luminous strips aiding retrieval. Frequent Sorties: Drones make multiple trips, with one recovered drone logging 260 flights in 2024, targeting Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur.
Shifting Routes: When anti-drone measures intensified in Punjab, smugglers shifted to Rajasthan and Jammu, exploiting the “ballooning effect.” Local accomplices, often unemployed youth or farmers, are lured by quick money to retrieve dropped consignments, creating a cross-border network that sustains the trade.
Impact on Punjab
The drone menace has deepened Punjab’s social and security crises. The influx of cheap heroin and synthetic drugs like “chitta” has fueled addiction, with villages like Attari requiring specialized rehab centers. The availability of weapons and explosives has armed pro-Khalistani elements and terrorist groups, leading to attacks like the 2024 grenade strikes on Punjab Police stations. The narcoterror nexus, supported by ISI-backed smugglers, threatens to revive militancy, reminiscent of the 1980s Sikh insurgency. Economically, the drug trade diverts youth from productive work, with unemployment driving some to smuggling. Socially, it erodes community trust, as locals fear drones may escalate to delivering larger explosives, endangering lives.
Solutions to Counter the Drone Menace
Addressing the drone menace requires a multi-pronged approach combining technology, p o l i c y, c o m m u n i t y engagement, and diplomacy.
Key solutions include:
Advanced Counter-Drone Technology: Deploy indigenous antidrone systems like Dronaam, which uses laser-based jamming to neutralize drones. The BSF plans to install these across the western border by mid2025. Use multi-sensor detection systems (radar, RF jammers, and cameras) to cover Punjab’s varied terrain, with both soft-kill (jamming) and hard-kill (nets, lasers) options. Enhance real-time tracking with AI-driven analytics to predict drone routes and dropping zones.
Strengthened Surveillance and Patrolling : Expand smart fencing, floodlights, and integrated surveillance systems with cameras and alarms, as currently implemented by the BSF. Increase coordination between the BSF, Punjab Police, and central agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau to map vulnerabilities and intercept consignments. Community Engagement: Strengthen the Drone Emergency Response System (DERS), involving Village-Level Defense Committees (VLDCs) to report drone activity, backed by rewards like rs1 lakh for actionable tips. Raise awareness in border villages about the dangers of collaborating with smugglers, offering rehabilitation for youth involved in retrieval.
Diplomatic and Legal Action: Lodge protests with Pakistan through diplomatic channels and pursue
Interpol notices against identified smugglers, as planned by the BSF with the NCB. Pressure international bodies to sanction Pakistan for supporting narcoterrorism, leveraging evidence of ISI and Ranger involvement.
Regulatory and Economic Measures: Enforce strict drone regulations, like the 2021 Drone Rules and “No Permit No Take-off” policy, to curb illicit drone use. Address unemployment in Punjab through state-led job programs to reduce reliance on smuggling income.
International Cooperation: Collaborate with countries like China to trace the supply chain of drones used in smuggling, given their Chinese origin. Share intelligence with global anti-narcotics agencies to dismantle the Golden Crescent drug route fueling Punjab’s crisis.
Conclusion
The drone menace in Punjab, driven by Pakistan-based smugglers with the complicity of Rangers and the ISI, poses a severe threat to India’s security and social fabric. The influx of drugs, weapons, and explosives via drones has fuelled addiction, armed terrorism, and destabilized border communities. While the BSF’s efforts—shooting down drones, deploying anti-drone technology, and engaging locals— have yielded results, the menace persists due to Pakistan’s refusal to act against perpetrators.
A comprehensive strategy combining cutting-edge technology, community vigilance, robust diplomacy, and socio-economic interventions is essential to secure Punjab’s border and dismantle the narco-terror nexus. Without decisive action, the skies over Punjab risk becoming a permanent conduit for Pakistan’s illicit agenda.
