Drones take to the skies as Punjab's new front in war on drugs
Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The state's fight against drugs has taken to the skies, with drone-based smuggling posing a significant threat to internal security. Narcotics, weapons, and ammo are being flown in, exploiting gaps in traditional border security. Anti-drone tech has become a must-have to counter this airborne menace. These drones fly low, dodge radar, and often operate under cover of darkness, rendering conventional fencing and patrols ineffective. It's a cat-and-mouse game, and Punjab needs cutting-edge tech to stay ahead.
Drones Take Centre Stage in Border Security Worse
Punjab's a hotspot for drone-based crime, with organised gangs using them to smuggle goods. Officials are clear: drones are part of a larger, repeat operation. CM S. Bhagwant Mann calls it a major internal security threat, especially with drugs and arms pouring in. What makes this challenge sharper is that drone operations often originate outside India's jurisdiction, limiting conventional enforcement responses.
Anti-drone systems close a dangerous blind spot
Anti-drone technology fills a gap that border forces and state police previously had no way to address. Modern systems combine:
• Detection (radar, radio-frequency sensors, acoustic tracking)
• Identification (distinguishing hostile drones from civilian or authorised ones)
• Neutralisation (jamming signals, forcing landings, or disabling drones mid-air)
Punjab's deployment of the Baaj Akh system reflects this shift, from reactive seizures to real-time interception. The objective is no longer just recovery of contraband, but prevention of entry altogether.
Smugglers Take Flight with High-Tech Tactics
Criminal networks are stepping up their game, using GPS-programmed routes, encrypted signals, and modified commercial drones to smuggle goods. These aren't isolated incidents — they're scalable operations. Security experts warn that without anti-drone systems, states become sitting ducks. Once smugglers spot a weak spot, drone traffic surges. That's why anti-drone tech is both a shield and a deterrent, keeping would-be smugglers at bay.
Drones: A Threat Beyond Narcotics
It's not just about drugs anymore drones are being used to transport weapons, ammo, and surveillance gear, taking the threat to a whole new level. Officials are sounding the alarm, saying unauthorised drone activity could enable terror groups and crime rings, making early detection crucial for national security.
Punjab is empowering Tech Takes Centre Stage in Punjab's War on Smugglers
The government's stepping up efforts, teaming up with other countries to tackle dronc threats. In Punjab, anti-drone tech is part of a bigger plan, alongside rehab initiativcs and communit'Aed anti-drug drives. CM S. Bhagwant Mann calls it a "robust reaction" to tech-savvy smugglers. "Punjab's the first state to deploy anti-drone tech at the border," he says, aiming to curb cross-border smuggling. With threats evolving fast, borders aren't just lines on land they're airspaces that need defending, pronto.