BSF downs 95 Pakistan drones in 2023 | Know BSF's technology to deal with cross-border activities

Chandigarh: As many as 95 Pakistani drones were shot down by Border Security Force (BSF) in year 2023. The figures were disclosed by BSF during their annual briefing on Monday (December 11). Meanwhile, BSF has now adopted a new technology to deal with enhancing activities of drones getting weapons and drugs from Pakistan. Majority of cross-border drugs smuggling bids have been foiled at the International Border in Punjab.

While revealing the data, BSF Special DG Western Command Yogesh Bahadur Khurania apprised that in the year 2023, a total of 755 kg of narcotic items, 15 numbers of assorted rifles and 38 pistols were seized by BSF during various operations besides apprehending 36 Pakistani nationals and neutralising nine Pakistani intruders along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

“We are providing special training to BSF Jawans to detect the Pakistan drone sorties. Pakistan drugs and weapons smugglers are trying to exploit the Punjab border as most of the drones were shot down along the IB in Punjab. BSF is now maintaining data of the criminals lodged in different jails connected to cross-border drugs smuggling. We are keeping a track on the history-sheeters too and monitoring their activities. Coordination with the locals has also been enhanced to verify the involvement of the locals with cross -border smugglers,” SP DG BSF Western Command Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said.

With the enhancement of jurisdiction of BSF from 15 to 50 kilometres in the state of Punjab by Ministry of Home Affairs, BSF has increased the domination in the hinterland by frequent vehicle patrolling, establishment of temporary posts, laying of ambushes, mobile check posts in conjunction with Punjab Police that has successfully resulted in prevention of illegal activities of anti-national elements.

“These drugs and weapons smugglers are inter-state connected. Over ground workers from Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have their connections. To counter, BSF and state investigating agencies are also in coordination to verify the movement and nexus of these drugs and weapons smugglers. From the jails to their natives places, movements of these criminals is being tracked,” SP DG BSF Western Command Khurania said.

A total of 36 Infiltrators were arrested in 2023, 24 of whom were from Punjab.

A total of 200 Exfiltrators were arrested in 2023, 96 of whom were from Punjab.

​BSF contributing to rescue operations during natural calamities

BSF troops under Western Command have also been helping people residing in border areas during floods and other natural calamities. In the recent monsoon season, when border districts of Ferozepur and Abohar were inundated with floods due to incessant rainfall and overflow of water from Ravi and Sutlej rivers, BSF troops carried out 10 major rescue operations and evacuated around 2,000 people to safer places. Troops of 18 Battalion of the BSF and Water Wing Bhuj also played a proactive role during the severe cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’ and shifted 150 villagers of Thumari, Gunao and Walawariwand villages to BSF border outposts. During the year 2023, BSF had also organised 39 Medical Camps in the bordering areas of Kashmir, Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat besides conducing skill development programmes, pre-recruitment training for youth and sports tournaments for the border population.