The 553-kilometer international border of Punjab is witnessing a new chapter in security. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan, the steps taken by the state government to strengthen border security have become an exemplary model for the entire country.
To counter serious challenges like drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and drone incursions, the Punjab government has established a robust ‘Second Line of Defence’ based on modern technology, administrative vigilance, and public participation, making the border security nearly impregnable.
🚨 Historic Anti-Drone Initiative
The most significant and historic decision by the state government has been the procurement and deployment of nine state-of-the-art Anti-Drone Systems (ADS).
- Investment: Approximately ₹51.4 crore is being spent on these systems, which are being installed across the border districts.
- Capability: These systems, such as the recently launched ‘Baaj Akh’ ADS, can not only identify drones flying within a 10-kilometer radius but also pinpoint the location of the operator.
- First in the Nation: This initiative makes Punjab the first state in the country to establish its own anti-drone coverage at the border to supplement the efforts of the Border Security Force (BSF).
📹 AI-Enabled Surveillance and Ground Forces
Complementing the anti-drone technology, the government has launched a multi-pronged strategy to ensure round-the-clock vigilance:
- CCTV Network: The plan to install 3,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras in border areas is nearly complete, with around 2,300 already operational. These cameras instantly track suspicious activity and send alerts to police control rooms.
- Village Defence Committees (VDCs): To ensure public participation, 19,523 Village Defence Committees have been formed in border areas, including local residents, ex-servicemen, and youth, who work to combat drug and smuggling activities at the village level.
- Home Guards: The Maan government is deploying 5,000 Home Guards as part of its ‘Second Line of Defence,’ equipping them with modern training and equipment to assist the state police and security agencies.
The government has allocated a special budget of ₹110 crore to strengthen border security, alongside an additional ₹40 crore for development work in these areas. Furthermore, the Punjab Police has established 100 checkposts every five kilometers along the international border, significantly tightening the vigilance system.
These comprehensive efforts have led to a notable reduction in drone-based smuggling, solidifying the policy as an inspiration for border security across the nation.
The ‘Baaj Akh’ Anti-Drone System (ADS), whose name translates to “Hawk Eye,” is a groundbreaking security measure deployed by the Punjab government to combat cross-border smuggling from Pakistan. Punjab is the first state in India to deploy its own advanced anti-drone system along an international border.
Here are the key details and features of the system:
| Feature | Detail |
| Primary Objective | To detect, intercept, and neutralize drones used for smuggling narcotics, weapons, and ammunition from across the Pakistan border. |
| Deployment Role | Serves as the ‘Second Line of Defence’ after the Border Security Force (BSF), ensuring a layered security system. The Punjab Police coordinates closely with the BSF, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force. |
| Scope of Coverage | The full deployment will cover the state’s entire 553-kilometer border with Pakistan, spanning districts from Pathankot to Fazilka. |
| System Capacity | A total of nine advanced Anti-Drone System units are being procured and deployed. Three units were launched initially, with six more to follow soon. |
| Cost | The entire project to deploy the nine units is estimated to cost approximately ₹51.4 crore. |
| Technology & Function | The system utilizes advanced, automated alert technology: |
| Detection: It is equipped to accurately detect the position of hostile drones. | |
| Pinpointing: It can also pinpoint the location of the drone’s ground control station (operator). | |
| Interception & Neutralization: The system can immediately intercept and neutralize any drone that attempts to enter the state’s airspace from Pakistan. | |
| Automation: The automated alert technology eliminates the need for constant manual monitoring, instantly notifying authorities upon detecting drone movement. | |
| Background | The launch is part of the state government’s intensified “War Against Drugs” (Yudh Nasheyan Virudh) campaign, aimed at breaking the supply chain of illicit substances and arms. In 2024, 283 smuggling drones were seized, and 137 had been recovered in 2025 (as of the launch period). |