Punjab Becomes First State to Deploy Anti-Drone System to Combat Cross-Border Drug and Weapon Smuggling

Chandigarh, Aug 2025: In a landmark step towards strengthening border security and curbing the inflow of narcotics and weapons from across the Pakistan border, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, on Saturday flagged off the state’s first Baaj Akh Anti-Drone System (ADS). This initiative makes Punjab the first state in India to independently deploy such technology along the international border.

The launch ceremony, held amid the ongoing “War Against Drugs” (Yudh Nasheyan Virudh) campaign, signals an intensified crackdown on cross-border smuggling that has long plagued the state.

A New Chapter in the Anti-Drug Fight

Addressing the media, Kejriwal hailed the deployment as “another glorious chapter” in Punjab’s fight against narcotics. He accused past governments of colluding with drug smugglers, allowing the menace to grow unchecked.

“Those days are over. A massive crackdown is underway, and the big fish in the drug trade are now behind bars,” he said. He revealed that properties purchased with illicit drug profits are being demolished and that the most feared drug lord in the state has been jailed under the current government.

Kejriwal emphasised that smuggling routes from across the border have increasingly relied on drones, prompting the need for such advanced countermeasures. “Three anti-drone systems are already operational, and six more will be deployed soon. We are committed to a zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers,” he asserted.

Punjab’s Strategic Vulnerability

Chief Minister Mann underscored the strategic necessity of the initiative. Punjab shares a 553-kilometre-long border with Pakistan, one of the most sensitive stretches for cross-border smuggling.

He announced the setting up of nine anti-drone units at strategic locations along the border at a cost of ₹51.4 crore. While India’s armed forces and the Border Security Force (BSF) have been using such systems, Punjab is the first state to independently deploy them as part of a “Second Line of Defense.”

Cutting-Edge Technology to Neutralise Drones

The Baaj Akh system is designed to detect and neutralise drones carrying illicit consignments. Equipped with automated alert systems, it provides instant notifications to security agencies upon detecting any aerial intrusion. This eliminates the need for manual monitoring and allows swift interception.

“These systems will be installed in areas with high drone activity, enabling Punjab Police to act immediately. For the first time, we can accurately detect a drone’s position and even its ground control station,” Mann explained.

The Chief Minister added that coordination with the BSF, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and other security agencies will ensure maximum operational efficiency.

Escalating Drone Threats

The scale of the challenge is significant. In 2024 alone, Punjab security forces seized 283 drones loaded with heroin, weapons, and ammunition. In 2025 so far, 137 drones have already been recovered. Mann warned that “enemies of the nation” have turned drones into tools to destroy Punjab’s youth, with drug smuggling operations becoming increasingly tech-savvy.

Second Line of Defense

Explaining the operational framework, Mann said the “Second Line of Defense” involves Punjab Police operating in border districts behind BSF units stationed at the international boundary. The ADS will act as a technological shield, giving state police the capability to intercept aerial threats before they can disperse contraband into the hinterland.

War Against Drugs — From Borders to Classrooms

The anti-drone deployment is part of the broader Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign. Mann revealed that the government has introduced an anti-drug curriculum in schools to protect the next generation. As part of the third phase of the campaign, a special syllabus is being taught in all government schools to students from classes 9 to 12.

“This program will reach 8 lakh students across 3,658 schools. Renowned scientists will participate in awareness sessions, ensuring students understand the dangers of drug abuse,” the Chief Minister said.

Political Will and Past Neglect

Mann accused previous administrations of allowing the drug problem to spread deliberately after 2009, allegedly under political patronage. “Those who shielded smugglers during their days of power are now behind bars,” he stated, vowing that no one, regardless of status, would be spared if found guilty of abetting the drug trade.

A Coordinated Security Effort

The Chief Minister congratulated Punjab’s security forces for their tireless work in combating smuggling. He assured them of continued support, noting that the ADS will serve as a crucial tool in their arsenal. “From Pathankot to Fazilka, every inch of the border will be monitored, and every aerial threat will be met with an immediate response,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The government aims to operationalise all nine ADS units in the coming months, covering high-risk points identified through intelligence and past incidents. Mann said that these measures would not only target drug smuggling but also the trafficking of arms and ammunition, which pose serious threats to state and national security.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and DGP Gaurav Yadav, who expressed confidence that the deployment would mark a turning point in Punjab’s battle against cross-border criminal networks.

“This is not just about stopping drugs,” Mann concluded. “It is about protecting our youth, safeguarding our borders, and sending a message — Punjab will not be a safe haven for those who wish to poison our society.”