JODHPUR, Dec 8: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Sunday that India will soon establish a comprehensive anti-drone unit to enhance border security, as the issue of unmanned aerial vehicles is expected to escalate in the near future.
Speaking to BSF troops during the 60th Raising Day celebration at their training camp, located about 300 km from the India-Pakistan border, Shah highlighted that the initial outcomes of a “laser-equipped anti-drone gun-mounted” system have shown promising results, leading to an increase in drone detection and neutralization from 3% to 55% along the Punjab border with Pakistan.
Shah emphasized that the challenge posed by drones is set to intensify, and the government is addressing it through a holistic approach involving border security forces, defense agencies, and research organizations, including the DRDO. He confirmed plans to form a dedicated anti-drone unit for the country in the near future. Official statistics reveal that over 260 drones have been intercepted or recovered at India’s border with Pakistan this year, compared to around 110 in 2023.
Most of the incidents involving drones carrying weapons and drugs have occurred in Punjab, with fewer cases in Rajasthan and Jammu. During the event, the Minister oversaw the ceremonial parade, saluted the troops, awarded medals to gallantry recipients, and presented other honors. The Border Security Force (BSF), which was established on December 1, 1965, has approximately 265,000 personnel and is responsible for guarding over 6,300 km of borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, in addition to various internal security duties.
Shah mentioned that the ongoing Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) for securing the Pakistan (2,289 km) and Bangladesh (4,096 km) borders is a work in progress. He noted an encouraging response to the CIBMS deployed along the riverine border in Assam’s Dhubri (India-Bangladesh international border), although some improvements are still needed.
The Minister also highlighted the Modi Government’s Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), which aims to develop and integrate the populations of northern border areas. Shah called this initiative the government’s “biggest achievement” in enhancing border security and supporting residents of remote regions, backed by a fund allocation of Rs 4,800 crore.
Currently, it is being trialed in approximately 3,000 villages. He stated that the Union Government has allocated a substantial budget for fortifying India’s borders, including fencing, infrastructure, roads, and logistics. Shah underscored the importance of security personnel in ensuring that India gains global recognition and maintains a leading position by 2047.
Regarding India’s border security policy, Shah remarked that it had historically been unclear. He credited Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s administration with introducing an integrated border management approach and the “One Border, One Force” policy, which has been further refined under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah noted that fencing has been completed along 591 km of the India-Bangladesh border and that floodlights have been installed over 1,159 km, along with the construction of 579 observation posts.
He also mentioned that electricity connections have been provided to 685 locations, 575 areas have been given water supply, and 570 solar plants have been installed for power supply. Additionally, Shah reported the creation of around 573 new border posts and the construction of 1,812 km of roads in remote border regions. BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary announced that 13,226 newly trained personnel have been assigned to various battalions, enhancing the force’s operational capabilities.
An additional 4,000 recruits are currently undergoing training, with about 12,000 expected to join next month for security and combat training before being deployed to the borders. Chawdhary addressed the increasing incidents of drones carrying weapons and drugs sent by adversaries across the Pakistan border, revealing that more than 250 drones have been intercepted this year. He confirmed that a DRDO-developed anti-drone system has been deployed to combat this threat.
