Drone threat: BSF ups vigil along Pak border amid foggy weather

AMRITSAR: : The Border Security Force (BSF) has stepped up its vigil along the Punjab border with Pakistan keeping in view the onset of the foggy season and the threat of drones used for the smuggling of contraband, arms and other illegal consignments.

The BSF has already noticed many folds of increase in the movement of drones this year. According to a BSF official, to date, this year, around 250 drones have been spotted at the Punjab border. In 2021, the count of drones spotted was around 65.

“Keeping in mind the foggy season, we have increased our naka points and patrolling, and our forces are working round the clock to tackle the drone threat also,” said Prabhakar Joshi, deputy inspector general (DIG), Gurdaspur range.

On Saturday night, two drones were spotted in the Gurdaspur sector.

The drones managed to return to Pakistan after making their sorties on the Indian side amid heavy firing by the BSF.

The BSF reportedly fired 106 rounds and also launched five illuminating bombs.

Every year, from mid-november to February, fog reduces visibility almost to zero at the border, making it difficult for the security forces to detect misadventures of anti-national elements.