Border Security: Anti-Drone Technology Helps Curb Heroin Smuggling in Punjab

September 13, 2026

Chandigarh: Punjab Police’s multi-layered response to counter drone-based narcotics smuggling across the India-Pakistan border has contributed to a decline in the availability of heroin in the state, officials said on Sunday.

The response, being implemented in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), combines anti-drone technology, dedicated response teams, surveillance cameras and second-line defence mechanisms to detect and intercept drones used for cross-border drug smuggling.

Nine Anti-Drone Systems Deployed Along Punjab Border

Punjab Police has deployed nine anti-drone systems, including three ‘Baaj Akh’ systems that have been operational in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur since August 2025.

These systems are designed to provide early detection of rogue drones and enable jamming operations.

In addition, three units of the Drone Sense D200 Pro, a long-endurance mobile drone detection platform, were deployed at strategic locations in border districts on September 3.

Police said the new systems can precisely detect and pinpoint drone activity and suspected dropping locations, allowing ground teams to respond quickly.

52 Drone Response Teams Working With BSF

For immediate ground intervention, 52 Drone Response Teams (DRTs) comprising 147 police personnel are working in coordination with the BSF.

Once a drone alert is received, the teams move towards suspected drop locations, conduct searches and attempt to intercept people collecting drug consignments.

The anti-drone response is further supported by 64 second-line defence nakas involving 600 police personnel. Police are also using 2,367 CCTV cameras installed at 585 locations as part of the surveillance network.

Village Defence Committees in border areas have also been integrated with the Drone Response Teams. These committees act as an additional local surveillance network and help alert authorities about suspicious drone activity.

486 Drones Recovered, Properties Worth Rs 336 Crore Frozen

The Punjab Police said its wider anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’, has resulted in the arrest of nearly 80,000 people since March 1, 2025.

A total of 486 drones have been recovered, while financial investigations have been used to target the economic networks supporting drug trafficking.

According to the police, properties worth more than Rs 336 crore have been frozen as part of efforts to disrupt the financial base of drug networks.

Under the reward policy for information leading to drone recoveries, an informer can receive Rs 25,000 for each recovered drone. Nearly Rs 2 crore has been distributed under the scheme this year, officials said.

Pharmaceutical Drugs Emerge as New Challenge

While drone-based cross-border heroin smuggling has come under increased pressure, Punjab Police said pharmaceutical drugs smuggled from other states have emerged as an important challenge for drug-law enforcement in the state.

Police analysis of pharmaceutical seizures indicates that a large share of such medicines is manufactured outside Punjab, including in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, as well as Delhi.

The latest measures are part of Punjab’s broader effort to strengthen border security and prevent narcotics from entering the state through drone-based cross-border smuggling networks.