Pakistan is very effectively using drones for surveillance and smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics across the border, said the Border Security Force (BSF) Director General (DG) Rakesh Asthana on February 3, reports Hindustan Times. The BSF DG revealed this at a seminar organised by industry body FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) at Aero India 2021 exhibition in Bengaluru District of Karnataka. The DG stated, “In 2019, there were 167 recorded sightings of drones on the Western front (with Pakistan). In 2020, there were 77 sightings of drones on this front.” There have been instances of dropping of arms, ammunition, explosives and narcotics through the drones, particularly in Punjab and Jammu sectors, he mentioned.
The DG further said that “Pakistan is very effectively using its drone technology for not only smuggling activities, but also for surveillance purposes. As per intelligence inputs, the Pakistan Army is looking for mini or small UAVs which can stay for several hours in the air to monitor the borders with a preferable range of 150 kms.” The BSF chief also said that the neighbouring nation is using drones from China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy. In addition to this, Pakistan is seeking to augment its counter-drone capability, he added.