The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, May 9
The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave nod for purchasing anti-drone system to check the smuggling of weapons and drugs through drone on the borders.
A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the council of Ministers held here at the official residence of the Chief Minister.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that nine anti drone systems will be installed along with 532 kilometers of border with Pakistan. He said that these systems will help in checking the smuggling of drugs and weapons along with the border through the drones. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Rs 51.41 crore will be spent by the state government for this Nobel initiative aimed at strengthening security along with border.
Punjab shares a long International Border with Pakistan and lies in proximity of Afghanistan (major Heroin-producer). Pakistan continues to make concerted efforts to destabilize India’s Internal Security by smuggling from across the border. The fencing along the international border has been breached with use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Drones.
Requirement for Anti Drone System (ADS) to enhance capability to detect and neutralize hostile drones, thereby preventing the influx of arms, explosives and narcotics which are smuggled from across the border using the drones is must. Further it is imperative for the purpose of security during movement of VIP/VIP/Highly threatened persons in the state. Thus, the need for deploying Anti Drone Systems (ADS) has been recognized by the state Government in the border districts of Punjab on priority and on an urgent basis.
