Highlighting the imperative for heightened collaboration among the Punjab Police, the Border Security Force (BSF), and central agencies in the wake of ensuing Lok Sabha polls, Punjab’s Special Director General of Police (Spl DGP) Arpit Shukla on Thursday convened a pivotal strategy session. The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders including Punjab Police, BSF, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), was dedicated to formulate robust initiatives geared towards dismantling drug supply networks and thwarting drone activities originating from the neighbouring borders.

Accompanied by IG Frontier Headquarters, BSF Jalandhar Dr Atul Fulzele, Spl DGP Shukla emphasized the need for a cohesive and synergistic approach between Punjab Police and BSF. The focus was on fortifying the state’s borders to prevent illegal activities, especially the smuggling of drugs and infiltration attempts by militants or terrorists. With Punjab sharing a porous border with neighbouring countries, such as Pakistan, the role of the BSF as the first line of defense assumes paramount importance.

Shukla underscored the importance of heightened vigilance and proactive measures to counter emerging threats. One such threat is the utilization of drones for drug smuggling across the border. In response, Shukla urged the utilization of cutting-edge technology for drone detection and interception. Furthermore, he directed senior officers to enhance night patrolling along the international border to thwart any nefarious activities under the cover of darkness.

Addressing concerns related to the increasing instances of drone sightings, Shukla emphasized the importance of community engagement. He directed the SSPs of border districts to actively engage with Village Level Defense Committee (VLDC) members and sensitize field staff to monitor and report any suspicious drone activities.

Data shared during the meeting revealed a concerning trend of drone sightings along the border. In 2023 alone, there were 325 recorded instances, with 118 drones successfully intercepted. The figures for 2024 indicated a continuation of this trend, with 26 drones intercepted thus far —underscoring the evolving nature of cross-border challenges and the need for proactive measures to address them effectively.

Transitioning to preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Spl DGP Shukla outlined the comprehensive security measures undertaken by Punjab Police. He disclosed that 75 per cent of the district police force and 50 per cent of police personnel from other units have been mobilized for election deployment to ensure law and order during the electoral process and mitigate any potential security threats.

To combat the menace of liquor and drug smuggling, Punjab Police has established strong inter-state nakas (checkpoints) at strategic locations in 10 border districts of the state — Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, and Bathinda. These nakas serve as checkpoints to intercept and deter criminal activities, including bootlegging and drug trafficking.

Additionally, 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in vulnerable districts to bolster security measure and instill confidence among the general public as well as to dominate sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas in the state. The deployment comprises five companies each of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

In 2023, 325 drones were sighted across the Indo-Pak border in Punjab, with 118 successfully recovered. In 2024, 26 drones have been retrieved thus far