New Delhi: In a major step to strengthen the border defense, the Border Security Force (BSF) is increasing its first drone squadron to combat the growing air threats with Pakistan, especially in view of the deadly drone attacks seen during Operation Sindoor. Official sources said the unit would be deployed at selected border outposts with India-Pakistan Frontier and would include reconnaissance, monitoring and attack drones operated by specially trained personnel, stated by official sources, as quoted by news agency PTI.The BSF is a direct reply to the recent security challenges of this particular drone squadron, monitoring by a control room based on the BSF’s Western Command in Chandigarh, which also includes the use of Pakistan’s drone self in Indian military and civilians.During Operation Sindoor, an annient strike began on 7 April by India in Pahgam on 22 April in which 26 people were killed, Pakistan sent thousands of drones across the border.One such deadly attack occurred on 10 May, when a bomb -laden Pakistani drone dropped the explosives at the BSF Kharkola post in the RS Pur sector of Jammu. The attack killed two BSF personnel and an army jawan, seriously injuring four others. One of the injured soldiers had to undergo leg dissection.According to PTI, BSF has started strengthening its border infrastructure since then. Bunker walls and roofs are being reinforced with alloy sheets and additional protective measures are being applied to weak positions. A BSF official said that force crooks are also working with defense and intelligence agencies to establish counter-drain technology at major locations to stop and neutralize the UAV.According to PTI, sources confirmed that the new drone squadron would be deployed in Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat in more than 2,000 km of India-Pakistan border. Each drone team will include 2-3 trained personnel. Some devices have already been purchased, and training is going on in batches.Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently stated that BSF “destroyed more than 118 Pakistani positions and completely destroyed its monitoring system during Operation Sindor”, underlining the aggressive role of the force in recent border operations.Meanwhile, Pakistan -based smugglers have carried forward efforts to push drugs and weapons across the border using drones. The BSF recently recovered a DJI Matriss 300 RTK drone and 3.7 kg heroin packet in Taran Taran, Punjab, and stopped the drones carrying drugs and arms parts near Amritsar and Khamkaran. These persistent drones infiltration reflect urgency behind the BSF’s decision to launch a dedicated UAV Combat Unit.
