News Analysis India

Tag: BSF

  • Cattle smuggling case: ED charge sheet reveals ‘involvement of BSF’; Mamata targets Centre

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: In a 204-page supplementary charge sheet submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the cattle smuggling case before a Delhi court on Thursday, the central agency mentioned BSF’s (Border Security Force) direct involvement and nexus with the suspects helping them to provide passage to deliver cattle to Bangladesh.

    It may be recalled that Trinamool Congress strongman Anubrata Mondal and his daughter Sukanya were arrested in connection with the case.

    The TMC leaders see in the central agency’s findings a political tool to target the BJP-led government at the Centre, since BSF comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    “All Truck drivers transporting the cattle of this syndicate were given a PAD (Token). A PAD/ token was an identification so that there is no hindrance by local administration or police authority in the transportation of cattle.  Each truck driver was given directions towards the border outpost (BOP) at Nimitita, Khandua and Giria situated in Murshidabad district under the 36- Battalion of the BSF. The drivers had to deliver these cattle for further smuggling through local operatives. Mostly the cattle used to be sent through the border between 11 PM and 3 A.M. in connivance with BSF officials,” said an ED official quoting the charge sheet.

    While addressing a rally in Murshidabad district on Friday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Centre on the issue of cattle smuggling. “BSF is directly involved in the cattle smuggling and it is a central agency. The BSF is responsible for guarding the border. How can they not be held accountable if cows are being smuggled from right under their nose? Our party functionaries are being maligned to hide their failure,” she said.

    Last year, the CBI arrested BSF’s commandant of the 36 Battalion Satish Kumar in connection with cattle smuggling and the ED also later took him into custody. Kumar is presently in Tihar jail.

    Mamata, who is also Trinamool Congress’s chairperson, and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, also the national general secretary of the party, have been constantly raising BSF’s involvement.    

    TMC minister Firhad Hakim said the central probe agency finally agreed with what his party has been claiming for long. He also questioned why cattle smuggling cases before 2011, during the Left Front regime in Bengal, are being left out.  

    “We have repeatedly raised our voices and pointed out that it is the central force that guards the border is responsible for cattle smuggling across the border areas,” Hakim added. 

    KOLKATA: In a 204-page supplementary charge sheet submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the cattle smuggling case before a Delhi court on Thursday, the central agency mentioned BSF’s (Border Security Force) direct involvement and nexus with the suspects helping them to provide passage to deliver cattle to Bangladesh.

    It may be recalled that Trinamool Congress strongman Anubrata Mondal and his daughter Sukanya were arrested in connection with the case.

    The TMC leaders see in the central agency’s findings a political tool to target the BJP-led government at the Centre, since BSF comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “All Truck drivers transporting the cattle of this syndicate were given a PAD (Token). A PAD/ token was an identification so that there is no hindrance by local administration or police authority in the transportation of cattle.  Each truck driver was given directions towards the border outpost (BOP) at Nimitita, Khandua and Giria situated in Murshidabad district under the 36- Battalion of the BSF. The drivers had to deliver these cattle for further smuggling through local operatives. Mostly the cattle used to be sent through the border between 11 PM and 3 A.M. in connivance with BSF officials,” said an ED official quoting the charge sheet.

    While addressing a rally in Murshidabad district on Friday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Centre on the issue of cattle smuggling. “BSF is directly involved in the cattle smuggling and it is a central agency. The BSF is responsible for guarding the border. How can they not be held accountable if cows are being smuggled from right under their nose? Our party functionaries are being maligned to hide their failure,” she said.

    Last year, the CBI arrested BSF’s commandant of the 36 Battalion Satish Kumar in connection with cattle smuggling and the ED also later took him into custody. Kumar is presently in Tihar jail.

    Mamata, who is also Trinamool Congress’s chairperson, and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, also the national general secretary of the party, have been constantly raising BSF’s involvement.    

    TMC minister Firhad Hakim said the central probe agency finally agreed with what his party has been claiming for long. He also questioned why cattle smuggling cases before 2011, during the Left Front regime in Bengal, are being left out.  

    “We have repeatedly raised our voices and pointed out that it is the central force that guards the border is responsible for cattle smuggling across the border areas,” Hakim added. 

  • Punjab: BSF recovers drugs, arms after gunfight with smugglers along Pak border

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: The BSF on Saturday recovered 20 packets of heroin and a cache of arms and ammunition after a gunfight with Pakistani smugglers along the international border of India and Pakistan in Punjab’s Gurdaspur, an official said.

    The gunfight began when the 113 Battalion of the Border Security Force noticed suspicious movement of smugglers ahead of fencing in the area near Khasawali village in the Gurdaspur district early morning, said the official.

    “During patrolling in the dense fog at 5.30 am, BSF constable Hem Ram noticed some suspicious movement. As he challenged them, the smugglers from the Pakistani side opened fire. Our jawan retaliated with 25 rounds,” BSF Deputy Inspector General Prabhakar Joshi told reporters in Gurdaspur.

    Joshi said a team led by a patrol commander soon joined them and helped in the gunfight, which went on for a “long time.”

    Later, in a search operation, the force found a 15-foot-long pipe about 30 metres away from the fencing, with 20 packets of heroin in it, said Joshi.

    A further search of the area led to the recovery of two pistols (one made in Turkey and the other Made in China), six magazines, and 242 live rounds, said the BSF DIG.

    Joshi also said that they are finding out about Indians who crossed the border and are engaged in smuggling narcotics to this side.

    The BSF has also shared information about the Saturday incident with the Punjab Police, he said, adding they are making efforts to nab the Indian receivers of the consignment.

    In another incident, the BSF said its troops opened fire at a Pakistani drone in the area falling under Ramdas Police Station, adding that a search operation was underway.

    CHANDIGARH: The BSF on Saturday recovered 20 packets of heroin and a cache of arms and ammunition after a gunfight with Pakistani smugglers along the international border of India and Pakistan in Punjab’s Gurdaspur, an official said.

    The gunfight began when the 113 Battalion of the Border Security Force noticed suspicious movement of smugglers ahead of fencing in the area near Khasawali village in the Gurdaspur district early morning, said the official.

    “During patrolling in the dense fog at 5.30 am, BSF constable Hem Ram noticed some suspicious movement. As he challenged them, the smugglers from the Pakistani side opened fire. Our jawan retaliated with 25 rounds,” BSF Deputy Inspector General Prabhakar Joshi told reporters in Gurdaspur.

    Joshi said a team led by a patrol commander soon joined them and helped in the gunfight, which went on for a “long time.”

    Later, in a search operation, the force found a 15-foot-long pipe about 30 metres away from the fencing, with 20 packets of heroin in it, said Joshi.

    A further search of the area led to the recovery of two pistols (one made in Turkey and the other Made in China), six magazines, and 242 live rounds, said the BSF DIG.

    Joshi also said that they are finding out about Indians who crossed the border and are engaged in smuggling narcotics to this side.

    The BSF has also shared information about the Saturday incident with the Punjab Police, he said, adding they are making efforts to nab the Indian receivers of the consignment.

    In another incident, the BSF said its troops opened fire at a Pakistani drone in the area falling under Ramdas Police Station, adding that a search operation was underway.

  • Over 83,000 posts vacant in Central Armed Police Forces: Centre

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: With over 83,000 vacancies, India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are facing a shortage of manpower, according to the government. 

    The forces in which the posts are lying vacant are Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifles.

    MoS Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Wednesday informed the parliament that as many as 83,217 posts in the CAPF were vacant as of Jan. 1, 2023, against a total sanctioned strength of 10,15,237. The shortage of manpower since 2019 stands at 8 per cent of the total sanctioned strength. With 29,283 vacancies, the CRPF suffered from the highest shortage of personnel.

    Rai said the government has been taking measures to fill the vacancies, adding, “The recruitment is being undertaken in mission mode to fill these vacancies and it is planned to be completed in 2023.”

    “It may also be mentioned that 32,181 personnel have been recruited between July 2022 to January 2023. Further, 64,444 vacancies have been notified and are at different stages of recruitment,” he added.

    Sources within the CAPFs said that the peculiarity of the service conditions requires maintaining a minimum force level every time and that the scarcity of personnel affects the Units the most.

    “Keeping the service conditions and deployments we cannot let the number of personnel present in a Unit come down from a minimum number. And, the duties of those not in the Unit have to be perforce carried out by those in the Unit and this leads to additional work to every person,” a source informed TNIE.

    Meanwhile, the number of women personnel in the CAPFs and the ARs has been consistently increasing during the same period. In 2019, as many as 27,047 (2.9 per cent) of 9.12 lakh personnel in service were women. The number has now risen to 3.82 per cent, with at least 35,074 women in service from a total of 9.16 lakh personnel. 

    The CAPFs function under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Of the CAPFs, AR, BSF, ITBP and SSB help guard the country’s border, while, the CRPF is deployed for internal security duties, maintenance of law and order and anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.

    NEW DELHI: With over 83,000 vacancies, India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are facing a shortage of manpower, according to the government. 

    The forces in which the posts are lying vacant are Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifles.

    MoS Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Wednesday informed the parliament that as many as 83,217 posts in the CAPF were vacant as of Jan. 1, 2023, against a total sanctioned strength of 10,15,237. The shortage of manpower since 2019 stands at 8 per cent of the total sanctioned strength. With 29,283 vacancies, the CRPF suffered from the highest shortage of personnel.

    Rai said the government has been taking measures to fill the vacancies, adding, “The recruitment is being undertaken in mission mode to fill these vacancies and it is planned to be completed in 2023.”

    “It may also be mentioned that 32,181 personnel have been recruited between July 2022 to January 2023. Further, 64,444 vacancies have been notified and are at different stages of recruitment,” he added.

    Sources within the CAPFs said that the peculiarity of the service conditions requires maintaining a minimum force level every time and that the scarcity of personnel affects the Units the most.

    “Keeping the service conditions and deployments we cannot let the number of personnel present in a Unit come down from a minimum number. And, the duties of those not in the Unit have to be perforce carried out by those in the Unit and this leads to additional work to every person,” a source informed TNIE.

    Meanwhile, the number of women personnel in the CAPFs and the ARs has been consistently increasing during the same period. In 2019, as many as 27,047 (2.9 per cent) of 9.12 lakh personnel in service were women. The number has now risen to 3.82 per cent, with at least 35,074 women in service from a total of 9.16 lakh personnel. 

    The CAPFs function under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Of the CAPFs, AR, BSF, ITBP and SSB help guard the country’s border, while, the CRPF is deployed for internal security duties, maintenance of law and order and anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.

  • MHA gets more funds for infra & arms to counter terror, border, cyber threats

    Express News Service

    With a major focus on national security the Government earmarked Rs 1.96 lakh crore in the 2023-24 budget allocation to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) responsible for India’s internal security, border management, intel gathering and counter terror offences, in view of the increased challenges.

    This increase of about Rs 10,000 crore over last year’s (2022-23) revised allocations of Rs 1,85,777 crore comes at a time when the ministry is looking at arming counter insurgent forces with better equipment and arms, creating a robust cyber patrolling system and strengthen intel gathering and coordination amongst law enforcement agencies and counter terror forces.

    A substantial amount has been allocated this time for improving infrastructure for the patrolling of international borders amidst increased enemy drone attacks, upgradation of law enforcing infrastructure and modernisation of police besides the paramilitary forces.

    The MHA is responsible for matters concerning internal security, central armed police forces, border management, disaster management, census, and centre-state relations.  In addition, the Ministry makes certain grants to union territories (UTs), since they are not covered by the Finance Commission’s recommendations on devolution and, thus, do not have any share in central taxes.  

    In the current budget major portions of the allocation amounting to Rs 1.28 lakh crore, has been earmarked for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) comprising the Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The figure last year stood at Rs 1.19 crores.

    The increased allocation has come as a refreshing development for the CAPF that has been expecting more funds for infrastructure, technological advancement and security-related equipment — which includes drones, early warning systems, equipment to enhance reaction time, for better training, intelligence gathering and operations.

    The CRPF which is entrusted primarily with the task of internal security duties and fighting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Maoists backed left winged extremists (LWE) and other ultra outfits has been allocated Rs  31,772.23 crore in comparison to Rs 31,495.88 crore given in 2022-23.

    The Border Security Force (BSF), which guards India’s border with Pakistan and Bangladesh besides handling internal security assignments, has been given Rs 24,771.28 crore in comparison to Rs 23,557.51 crore given in the current fiscal.

    The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which protects vital installations such as nuclear projects, airports and metro networks, has been given Rs 13,214.68 crore in comparison to Rs 12,293.23 crore allocated in 2022-23.

    The Shashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan, has been allocated Rs 8,329.10 crore in comparison to Rs 8,019.78 crore given in 2022-23.

    The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the Sino-Indian border, got Rs 8,096.89 crore in comparison to Rs 7,626.38 crore given in the current fiscal.

    The Assam Rifles, which is deployed along the India-Myanmar border and for anti-insurgency duties in the Northeast, has been allocated Rs 7,052.46 crore in comparison to Rs 6,561.33 crore given in the current fiscal.

    With a major focus on national security the Government earmarked Rs 1.96 lakh crore in the 2023-24 budget allocation to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) responsible for India’s internal security, border management, intel gathering and counter terror offences, in view of the increased challenges.

    This increase of about Rs 10,000 crore over last year’s (2022-23) revised allocations of Rs 1,85,777 crore comes at a time when the ministry is looking at arming counter insurgent forces with better equipment and arms, creating a robust cyber patrolling system and strengthen intel gathering and coordination amongst law enforcement agencies and counter terror forces.

    A substantial amount has been allocated this time for improving infrastructure for the patrolling of international borders amidst increased enemy drone attacks, upgradation of law enforcing infrastructure and modernisation of police besides the paramilitary forces.

    The MHA is responsible for matters concerning internal security, central armed police forces, border management, disaster management, census, and centre-state relations.  In addition, the Ministry makes certain grants to union territories (UTs), since they are not covered by the Finance Commission’s recommendations on devolution and, thus, do not have any share in central taxes.  

    In the current budget major portions of the allocation amounting to Rs 1.28 lakh crore, has been earmarked for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) comprising the Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The figure last year stood at Rs 1.19 crores.

    The increased allocation has come as a refreshing development for the CAPF that has been expecting more funds for infrastructure, technological advancement and security-related equipment — which includes drones, early warning systems, equipment to enhance reaction time, for better training, intelligence gathering and operations.

    The CRPF which is entrusted primarily with the task of internal security duties and fighting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Maoists backed left winged extremists (LWE) and other ultra outfits has been allocated Rs  31,772.23 crore in comparison to Rs 31,495.88 crore given in 2022-23.

    The Border Security Force (BSF), which guards India’s border with Pakistan and Bangladesh besides handling internal security assignments, has been given Rs 24,771.28 crore in comparison to Rs 23,557.51 crore given in the current fiscal.

    The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which protects vital installations such as nuclear projects, airports and metro networks, has been given Rs 13,214.68 crore in comparison to Rs 12,293.23 crore allocated in 2022-23.

    The Shashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan, has been allocated Rs 8,329.10 crore in comparison to Rs 8,019.78 crore given in 2022-23.

    The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the Sino-Indian border, got Rs 8,096.89 crore in comparison to Rs 7,626.38 crore given in the current fiscal.

    The Assam Rifles, which is deployed along the India-Myanmar border and for anti-insurgency duties in the Northeast, has been allocated Rs 7,052.46 crore in comparison to Rs 6,561.33 crore given in the current fiscal.

  • BSF women personnel to be part of camel contingent for Republic Day Parade 

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: For the first time a dozen women camel riders will be participating as part of the famed camel contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) during the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

    The BSF on Monday said, “This is the first time BSF Mahila Camel Riders as part of BSF Camel Contingent will march on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade.”

    Marching atop the camels, these women camel riders will be donning specially designed regal ceremonial uniforms.

    The uniforms which represent the many treasured craft forms of India have been assembled by a noted fashion designer who will have iconic Jodhpuri bandhgala, classic and elegant long tunic.

    The textured fabric with hand-crafted zardosi work for various trims from Benaras is done in the 400 years-old Danka technique, the BSF had said.

    The uniform is styled with the striking Pagh – a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan.

    The BSF camel contingent has been participating in the Republic Day parade since 1976.

    The contingent usually comprises 90 camels — 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel.

    The Camel contingent is also part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony which is held three days after Republic Day on January 29.

    The BSF is the only force in the country to deploy camels for both operational and ceremonial duties.  .It is astride these camels that the bordermen, as the BSF personnel are called, patrol the Thar Desert along the borders with Pakistan.

    Out of total approx 240,000 personnel the BSF has around 8,000 women personnel including around 140 officers which include the subordinate officers also. The women, as per the sources, are deployed in all kinds of operational duties like the zero line patrolling and night observation post duties. The Force has also deployed all women floating Border Out Posts (BOPs) along the India Bangladesh borders under its water wing. The BSF also has an all women daredevil motorcycle team named Seema Bhawani.

    The BSF was raised on December 1, 1965 and it is primarily tasked with guarding international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is a unique force in the world having the elements of aviation, artillery and water wing as its assets.

    NEW DELHI: For the first time a dozen women camel riders will be participating as part of the famed camel contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) during the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

    The BSF on Monday said, “This is the first time BSF Mahila Camel Riders as part of BSF Camel Contingent will march on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade.”

    Marching atop the camels, these women camel riders will be donning specially designed regal ceremonial uniforms.

    The uniforms which represent the many treasured craft forms of India have been assembled by a noted fashion designer who will have iconic Jodhpuri bandhgala, classic and elegant long tunic.

    The textured fabric with hand-crafted zardosi work for various trims from Benaras is done in the 400 years-old Danka technique, the BSF had said.

    The uniform is styled with the striking Pagh – a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan.

    The BSF camel contingent has been participating in the Republic Day parade since 1976.

    The contingent usually comprises 90 camels — 54 with troops and the rest with band personnel.

    The Camel contingent is also part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony which is held three days after Republic Day on January 29.

    The BSF is the only force in the country to deploy camels for both operational and ceremonial duties.  .It is astride these camels that the bordermen, as the BSF personnel are called, patrol the Thar Desert along the borders with Pakistan.

    Out of total approx 240,000 personnel the BSF has around 8,000 women personnel including around 140 officers which include the subordinate officers also. The women, as per the sources, are deployed in all kinds of operational duties like the zero line patrolling and night observation post duties. The Force has also deployed all women floating Border Out Posts (BOPs) along the India Bangladesh borders under its water wing. The BSF also has an all women daredevil motorcycle team named Seema Bhawani.

    The BSF was raised on December 1, 1965 and it is primarily tasked with guarding international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is a unique force in the world having the elements of aviation, artillery and water wing as its assets.

  • Pak drone spotted close to international border in Punjab, returns after BSF troops open fire 

    By PTI

    FEROZEPUR: A drone from Pakistan was spotted close to the international border here, said officials on Saturday.

    The unmanned aerial vehicle flew back to Pakistan after the Border Security Force troops fired at it, they said.

    The BSF personnel fired at least 18 rounds towards the drone, they said.

    A search operation is underway, they said.

    On the night of October 27, the BSF had recovered a huge cache of firearms and ammunition in the Ferozepur sector.

    The BSF troops had recovered a bag along the Indo-Pakistan border and had found six AK-47 assault rifles, three pistols and 200 live rounds from it.  

    FEROZEPUR: A drone from Pakistan was spotted close to the international border here, said officials on Saturday.

    The unmanned aerial vehicle flew back to Pakistan after the Border Security Force troops fired at it, they said.

    The BSF personnel fired at least 18 rounds towards the drone, they said.

    A search operation is underway, they said.

    On the night of October 27, the BSF had recovered a huge cache of firearms and ammunition in the Ferozepur sector.

    The BSF troops had recovered a bag along the Indo-Pakistan border and had found six AK-47 assault rifles, three pistols and 200 live rounds from it.  

  • Pakistani civilian attempting to cross international border in Rajasthan shot dead by BSF 

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: A Pakistani civilian allegedly trying to enter Indian territory was killed by Border Security Force personnel in Anupgarh sector of Sriganganagar district here, police said.

    On Friday night, Border Security Force personnel patrolling the area saw a Pakistani civilian trying to enter the Indian side.

    When he did not stop despite being alerted by the jawans, they opened fire, Sriganganagar Superintendent of Police Anand Sharma said.

    A case has been registered at Anupgarh police station and the body kept in a mortuary.

    The police said the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained and added that nothing was found from him.

    JAIPUR: A Pakistani civilian allegedly trying to enter Indian territory was killed by Border Security Force personnel in Anupgarh sector of Sriganganagar district here, police said.

    On Friday night, Border Security Force personnel patrolling the area saw a Pakistani civilian trying to enter the Indian side.

    When he did not stop despite being alerted by the jawans, they opened fire, Sriganganagar Superintendent of Police Anand Sharma said.

    A case has been registered at Anupgarh police station and the body kept in a mortuary.

    The police said the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained and added that nothing was found from him.

  • BSF shoots down second drone in three days along Pak border in Punjab 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI/ AMRITSAR: The Border Security Force shot down a quad-copter drone on Sunday night along the India-Pakistan international border in the Amritsar region, officials said.

    This is the second such incident in the last three days at this frontier.

    The drone weighing 12 kg had four propellers, intercepted and shot around 9.15 pm near the Rania border post in Amritsar sector by the troops of the 22nd Battalion of the BSF, they said.

    Some consignment that was loaded and being ferried by the drone was also recovered.

    More details are awaited, a BSF spokesperson said.

    In a similar incident that took place on the intervening night of October 13-14 the BSF shot down a large (quad copter) Pakistani drone in the Gurdaspur sector of Punjab.

    NEW DELHI/ AMRITSAR: The Border Security Force shot down a quad-copter drone on Sunday night along the India-Pakistan international border in the Amritsar region, officials said.

    This is the second such incident in the last three days at this frontier.

    The drone weighing 12 kg had four propellers, intercepted and shot around 9.15 pm near the Rania border post in Amritsar sector by the troops of the 22nd Battalion of the BSF, they said.

    Some consignment that was loaded and being ferried by the drone was also recovered.

    More details are awaited, a BSF spokesperson said.

    In a similar incident that took place on the intervening night of October 13-14 the BSF shot down a large (quad copter) Pakistani drone in the Gurdaspur sector of Punjab.

  • Pakistan drone spotted in Punjab’s Gurdaspur sector 

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: BSF troops opened fire at a drone from Pakistan along the International Border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur sector on Tuesday, officials said.

    Border Security Force (BSF) troops heard a buzzing sound of the flying object in the early hours and opened fire, officials said.

    Search operations have been launched in the area to check if any packages were dropped by the drone in Indian territory, they said.

    CHANDIGARH: BSF troops opened fire at a drone from Pakistan along the International Border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur sector on Tuesday, officials said.

    Border Security Force (BSF) troops heard a buzzing sound of the flying object in the early hours and opened fire, officials said.

    Search operations have been launched in the area to check if any packages were dropped by the drone in Indian territory, they said.

  • Security forces alert to threat of drones from across border: BSF officer

    Threat of drones were present everywhere along the Indo-Pakistan border but security forces are alert to foil any nefarious design from across the border and to ensure the protection of the people.