The Punjab government will roll out a sophisticated anti-drone system by September or October this year to curb the increasing instances of narcotics and weapons being smuggled from Pakistan using unmanned aerial vehicles, announced Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, the DGP said testing of the system has already been completed along the Indo-Pak border, and coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) is underway for deployment on the second line of defence.
“Punjab will install the anti-drone system by October. Our tests have been successful, and we are in close touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Yadav said.
Massive Recruitment and Legal Reforms on the Horizon
In a significant augmentation of border security, Yadav revealed that the state will soon recruit 5,500 home guards to strengthen its border defence mechanism.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government is also reviewing a proposal to set up 30 exclusive NDPS courts to fast-track trials under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with an annual budget allocation of ₹22.8 crore under consideration.
Crackdown on Drug Smuggling: Thousands Arrested, Massive Seizures
Since March 1, Punjab Police has registered 4,659 FIRs under the NDPS Act and arrested 7,414 drug traffickers, including 1,877 high-profile offenders, the DGP informed.
Seizures include:
- 297 kg heroin
- 100 quintals poppy husk
- 153 kg opium
- 95 kg ganja
- 21.77 lakh tablets, capsules, pills
- ₹8.03 crore in cash
Police have conducted 908 targeted operations at 755 drug hotspots, arresting 1,774 traffickers during cordon-and-search operations.
Pakistan Waging Proxy War, Says Top Cop
Slamming Pakistan’s role, DGP Yadav said,
“Pakistan is pursuing a proxy war to bleed India by a thousand cuts. We’ve busted their networks and foiled their designs.”
He added that 235 Pakistani nationals have entered Punjab recently, and joint monitoring with Jammu and Kashmir Police has been intensified, particularly in Pathankot, which reported suspicious activity.
Safety of Kashmiri Students Ensured Post Pahalgam Attack
In light of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, Punjab Police has reached out to Kashmiri students in the state, assuring full security. Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) have met with students across colleges, and travel is being facilitated for those wishing to return home.
Legal Wins and Economic Crackdown on Smugglers
Punjab has achieved an 89% conviction rate in NDPS cases since March 1, one of the highest in the country. Out of 836 cases decided, 744 ended in convictions, including 144 kingpins sentenced to 10+ years’ rigorous imprisonment.
To cripple drug networks economically, the police have:
- Frozen assets worth ₹32.95 crore (under Section 68F of NDPS Act)
- Demolished 72 illegally constructed properties of drug traffickers
- Formulated a 3-tier plan to dismantle hawala routes, seize assets, and demolish illegal constructions
Yadav also cited the Transfer of Prisoners Act, recently notified by the Punjab government, to consider relocating high-risk prisoners outside the state during trials.
Public Help and Police Action: A Unified Fight
The Safe Punjab Anti-Drugs Helpline — 9779100200 — has led to 503 FIRs and 659 arrests based on public tips.
“We urge citizens to come forward and report anonymously. Every lead is monitored, and the Chief Minister personally reviews progress,” the DGP said.
👮 DGP Gaurav Yadav was accompanied by senior officers of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF): Special DGP Kuldeep Singh, ADGP Nilabh Kishore, and IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill.
