After facing heavy drone attacks during Operation Sindoor, the Border Security Force (BSF) is now setting up its first-ever drone squadron along the India-Pakistan border.
This special unit will use surveillance and attack drones to guard the border and respond to threats more effectively. The move comes as part of stronger defence steps being taken after deadly incidents involving Pakistani drones.
First of Its Kind: BSF’s Drone Squadron Eyes Pakistan Front
The Border Security Force (BSF) is setting up its first drone squadron to be stationed along the India-Pakistan border.
This new step comes after India’s Operation Sindoor and the increasing use of drones by Pakistan, especially for attacks.
This squadron will include different types of drones used for watching, spying, and attacking. These drones will be operated by specially trained BSF personnel posted at selected border outposts (BoPs).
The entire squadron will be controlled from a main control room located at BSF’s western command headquarters in Chandigarh.
The decision to create this squadron was made after the BSF reviewed its current strengths, weaknesses, and threats in light of Operation Sindoor.
India launched Operation Sindoor as a strong response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22.
In that attack, 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in the Baisaran meadows. The BSF and the Indian Army jointly carried out strikes on terrorist and military bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) starting May 7.
In retaliation, Pakistan launched thousands of drones, including drone swarms, to target Indian military bases and civilian areas along the western border.
On May 10, a Pakistani drone dropped explosives on the BSF’s Kharkola border post in the RS Pura sector of Jammu. Two BSF soldiers and one Army jawan lost their lives.
Four others were seriously injured, with one soldier losing his leg during treatment.
The new drone squadron will be spread across certain BoPs from Jammu to Gujarat, covering the 2,000+ km long border with Pakistan.
The squadron will use a range of small and large drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and attacks, especially in high-tension situations like Operation Sindoor.
Each vulnerable BoP will have a small team of 2-3 trained BSF personnel to handle the drones. The drones and equipment are being specially procured, and training of personnel is already underway in batches.
After the May 10 attack, the BSF also started strengthening its border posts. Bunkers are being upgraded with special alloy sheets to make them more resistant to drone-delivered bombs and explosives.
Additional secret measures are being taken, but details are not being disclosed for security reasons.
A BSF officer said the force is working closely with defence and intelligence agencies to deploy anti-drone technology at selected locations.
These counter-drone systems will help identify and destroy any “rogue” or weaponized drones entering from the Pakistani side.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the BSF successfully destroyed over 118 Pakistani border posts and completely dismantled their surveillance systems during Operation Sindoor.
