BSF Strengthens Punjab Border with Additional Battalion Against Drone Menace

The BSF has requested an additional battalion to counter cross-border drone activities carrying drugs and ammunition along the Punjab front of the India-Pakistan border. Currently, 18 battalions are deployed actively. The Union home ministry is considering the request, aiming to curb the increasing drone incidents since 2019-20.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has requested the deployment of an additional battalion to tackle the growing threat of cross-border drones transporting drugs and ammunition and to curb infiltration along the Punjab section of the India-Pakistan border.

The force is currently using around 20 battalions to guard the extensive 500-kilometre-long frontier, with 18 actively posted at the border. The remaining battalions address specific needs at the Attari integrated check post in Amritsar and the Kartarpur corridor in the Gurdaspur district.

The drone threat, which began around 2019-20, is most significant in the border districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran. According to a senior officer, one additional BSF battalion has been requested to enhance the security of the Punjab border. This request is under active consideration by the Union home ministry.

(With inputs from agencies.)