In a significant step to bolster border security and disrupt cross-border drug and arms smuggling, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday jointly launched advanced Anti-Drone Systems (ADS) in Tarn Taran. The Rs 51.41 crore project introduces “soft kill” anti-drone technology as the state’s second line of defence, complementing the Border Security Force’s (BSF) efforts along Punjab’s 553-kilometer-long border with Pakistan.
Punjab has been grappling with a surge in drone-based smuggling. In 2024 alone, 283 drones were recovered with consignments of heroin, arms, and ammunition. So far this year, 137 such drones have already been intercepted. The easy availability of drones, coupled with rapid technological advancements, has made them the smugglers’ preferred choice, necessitating swift countermeasures.
The state government approved the procurement of nine ADS units in May this year under its ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign aimed at eradicating the drug menace. These systems have been procured from the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL), a Miniratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy, which has previously supplied such systems to multiple government agencies. Of the nine units, three are mounted on specially fabricated Force Traveller vans for rapid mobility in the border belt, while the others are designed for portable or fixed deployment.
Speaking at the launch, CM Bhagwant Mann said the deployment was part of a no-compromise strategy to secure Punjab’s borders and save its youth from the grip of drugs. “This investment in technology is an investment in the future of Punjab. Every drone we neutralize is one more barrier against the poison of drugs entering our villages,” he said. He stressed that these systems would operate in close coordination with the BSF, Air Force, Army, and other agencies to ensure an unbroken security shield.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal praised Punjab’s initiative, noting that while such anti-drone systems are already in use by the armed forces and BSF, Punjab is the first state in the country to deploy them along the International Border. “This is not just Punjab’s battle—it is India’s battle. By securing Punjab’s skies, we are securing the future of the entire nation,” he said.
The ADS units will be strategically placed from Pathankot to Abohar in districts with high drone activity, with their positions shifted as per operational needs. While the primary focus will remain on rural border areas, the portable nature of the systems allows for deployment in urban areas if required.
Before procurement, the systems underwent a rigorous evaluation process. A high-powered committee of senior officers carried out field demonstrations in both urban and border environments, and the Ministry of Home Affairs approved the model for state police use after extensive testing.
