Pakistan’s dirty game on Punjab border: ISI-backed drones sense jamming by India, scoot back after detection

In recent weeks, security agencies monitoring anti-drone systems along the 532km-long Punjab border have noticed a new pattern: drones entering from Pakistan are being detected and tracked but often retreat across the fence before interception.

These drones, operated by ISI-backed smugglers, are used to transport arms, including AK-47 rifles, grenades, and drugs, into India. Following a brief lull after Operation Sindoor, drone activity resumed, prompting Indian agencies to strengthen the three anti-drone systems (ADS) deployed along the border.

A senior Punjab Police officer explained that the latest drones are equipped with a fail-safe “back-to-home” mechanism, reported TOI. When their signal link to the base station is jammed or disrupted, they automatically return to their launch point in Pakistan.

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“Technology changes every day. What we face now is a tech challenge in our war against ISI-backed smuggling,” he said. Despite this, he noted that the anti-drone units have maintained a high detection rate, eight to ten drones daily, sometimes even fifteen. “Most attempts are foiled, either by bringing the drones down or forcing them to return,” he added, while emphasising the need for at least 100 ADS units for broader border coverage.

Punjab steps up anti-drone measures

Under its ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, the Punjab government deployed three vehicle-mounted ADS units in the first phase, officially launched on August 9 in Tarn Taran by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The state plans to install nine systems in total at a cost of around Rs 51 crore.

Since the ADS deployment, Tarn Taran police have filed 12 FIRs and arrested as many suspects in Bhikhiwind subdivision for receiving contraband delivered by drones. The seizures include four pistols, 75 bullets, five magazines, over 3kg heroin, 492g of ICE, and 506g of opium. Bhikhiwind DSP Preetinder Singh said the ADS has been “very effective” in combating drone-based smuggling.

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“Earlier, we relied on sound to track drones, but now we get exact coordinates, speed, altitude, and other parameters,” he explained. He added that while jamming can neutralise drones within a certain range, detection still aids in significant recoveries and arrests when jamming is ineffective.