J-K: Pak using drones to smuggle weapons, narcotics as soldiers keep infiltrators at bay
Jammu and Kashmir, December 30: Pakistan is using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to drop weapons and narcotics into Indian territory after failing to send infiltrators into the nation due to increased vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC).
According to data collected by various security agencies, there has been a threefold increase in drone sighting incidents along the India-Pakistan border. This year, 311 UAVs or drones were spotted on the India-Pakistan border between January 1, 2020, and December 23, 2022. In 2021, 104 drones were spotted, up from 77 in 2020.
UAVs have emerged as a major means of smuggling arms, ammunition, and drugs into India. The drones were spotted in various areas of Punjab and were within 2-10 kilometres of the international border.
Over 22 such drones were shot down by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, who also seized nearly 45 kg of heroin and a cache of arms and ammunition, including seven grenades, two magazines, 60 rounds of ammunition, and other firearms.
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Two explosions shook the high-security technical area of Indian Air Force (IAF) Station Jammu in June 2021. Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were dropped from low-flying drones.
It was the country's first drone attack on a defence establishment. One explosion caused minor damage to a building's roof, while the other exploded in an open area. There was no equipment damage.
Following the drone attack on the Jammu Air Force Station, security agencies huddled and anti-drone technology was quickly deployed around sensitive locations.
As of today, all critical security installations have been fully equipped with cutting-edge technology to counter any mishap by Pakistan and terrorist handlers operating from the neighbouring country.
- ANI
