Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 6

Alarmed by the recent arms drop cases in Punjab from across the border, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked border guarding forces, particularly the Border Security Force (BSF), patrolling the International Border with Pakistan, to explore all technological possibilities to have anti-drone capabilities.

MHA officials said the instructions in this regard was given to the chiefs of the border guarding forces during a security review meeting, which was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The direction was given to them in the backdrop of alleged use of heavy-duty drones by Pakistan to drop weapons into India for terrorists, the officials said, adding that chiefs of the border guarding forces had been asked to spend more time in the field with their units rather than in the headquarters  in Delhi. According to officials, the Director Generals (DGs) of

Border Security Force,  Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal and Assam Rifles have been given a time limit to come out with a plan with required technological inputs to prevent Punjab arms drop like incidents.

As intended the plan will also include for the forces to identify weak areas both geographically and in terms of capabilities and have been asked to build on them phase wise to make the borders full proof.  A senior official said, the chiefs of the forces, who attended the review meeting, were told that the minister would again review the progress made on the directions given.

Shah had on Friday directed the border guarding forces to identify issues affecting the security of the forward locations and submit detailed action plans to resolve them.