Facing escalating challenges from cross-border drones that are fueling drug trafficking and arms smuggling, the Border Security Force (BSF) has called for the deployment of an additional battalion to strengthen its operations along the Punjab stretch of the India-Pakistan international border. The move comes amid growing concerns about drone-related activities and infiltration attempts.
Currently, the BSF has approximately 20 battalions stationed along the extensive 500-kilometre-long border, with 18 actively deployed at various points along the front. The remaining two battalions are assigned to critical security tasks at the Attari integrated check post in Amritsar and the Kartarpur corridor in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur. The force’s current focus is on addressing the persistent drone menace, which began to intensify around 2019-20, particularly affecting the border districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran.
According to a senior BSF officer, the request for an additional battalion is currently under “active consideration” by the Union Home Ministry. This additional battalion, comprising approximately 800-900 personnel, aims to enhance the BSF's ability to secure the border more effectively. The reinforcement is also expected to bolster surveillance and response capabilities against the drone threats and associated smuggling operations.
The challenge posed by drones has been substantial, with official data indicating that security agencies have intercepted over 120 drones this year alone. This is a significant increase from the 107 drones seized throughout 2023. These drones, often used to transport drugs and ammunition, have prompted the BSF to seek more resources to control the situation effectively.
BSF’s Punjab Frontier Inspector General Atul Fulzele highlighted that the majority of drugs coming into Punjab are now arriving via drones, rather than through traditional land routes. This shift underscored the urgent need for enhanced security measures and additional manpower to address the evolving threat landscape.
In addition to the call for more troops, the BSF is also seeking to strengthen its intelligence operations. The force’s intelligence branch, or “G branch”, operates within a 50-kilometre radius of the border, playing a crucial role in identifying and intercepting drone activities and associated smuggling operations. Increased personnel and resources in this area are expected to improve the effectiveness of these operations.
The BSF's ongoing efforts include the construction of 48 culverts over the Ravi and Sutlej rivers along the Punjab border, with work on 25 already completed. These culverts are equipped with sewage gates and locks and are regularly monitored by BSF patrols to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling activities.
The BSF has also been actively engaging with local communities, rewarding informants who provide crucial information about drone activities and drug traffickers. To date, rewards have been issued in about 50 cases, and the BSF has shared intelligence on approximately 75 drug smugglers with the Punjab Police.
Moreover, the BSF is innovating its patrolling methods, including the formation of a mounted unit of female troops to enhance border surveillance. This initiative reflects the force’s commitment to adapting and strengthening its operational capabilities.
Recent deployments have also extended to the Punjab-Jammu border, with increased troop presence in Gurdaspur to counter potential infiltration from Pakistan into Jammu via Punjab.
