BSF shoots down record 16 drones in 2022; anti-drone system, in-depth patrolling key steps to curb menace

By Rajnish Singh
New Delhi [India], November 30 : Amid increased drone challenge on the India-Pakistan border, the Border Security Force (BSF) has shot down a record 16 drones so far this year and the force has adopted anti-drone system and in-depth patrolling to tackle the menace that poses security threats.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the annual press briefing, BSF Director General Pankaj Singh said the force hasn't yet achieved complete success on the drone front but there have been major achievements this year due to three-four measures adopted by the force.
"As we see the new challenge on the border in terms of drones, we haven't yet achieved success on that level if we talk about the issue in one go. That's why we have tried three-four ways and it is giving very good results," BSF DG said.
"We have installed some anti-drone systems on some specific locations (along the India-Pakistan border). As the border is very wide, an anti-drone system cannot be installed at all places. The system would be installed at more places one by one."
Besides, Singh said BSF has started three-four km in-depth patrolling so that the person trying to pick the illegal items dropped by these drones can be caught.
"We have also given very good incentives to our jawans who shoot these drones. Due to these efforts, we have shot down 16 drones this year till November whereas only one drone was shot down last year. The number of drones shot down by the force till the end of this year may increase to 25," he said.
Asked whether the drones shot down by the BSF are Chinese or locally manufactured, Singh said drones are available in the market.
"Anyone can purchase these drones from the market and if he is indulges in illegal activities, use them accordingly," he said.
Singh said big drones are used for smuggling huge amounts of drugs or arms and ammunition. Giving the example of big drones shot down by the BSF two days ago, Singh said those were "fabricated" drones and were manufactured at a "local level".
"Propellers and wings are available in the market for manufacturing drones," he said.
Women personnel of the BSF shot down a Hexacopter drone weighing 18.050 kg on Monday near Chaharpur village in Amritsar (Rural) district in Punjab when it was entering Indian territory from Pakistan. The drone was carrying 3.110 kg of narcotics.
The BSF DG also pointed out that information can be gathered from the chip analysis of these drones.
"With the analysis of the chips in the drones, we can get details about the route taken by it and its flying zone, as well as its origin. We will get more success after analysis of the chips used in these drones," he said.
"We (BSF) are doing quite a bit on the anti-drone front. We've deployed systems on borders that have been very effective and useful. We're testing out new technology also to detect these drones and we have joined hands with state police for extra deployment."