Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the government is working towards installing anti-drone systems within the next six months as part of intensified efforts to curb the smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones along the borders.
At the same time, he stressed that since drones ultimately land within Indian territory, strong coordination with local police and civil administration remains crucial to identify the recipients of such consignments and effectively neutralise the threats.
Shah said a multi-layered ‘four-point security grid’ involving the Border Security Force, armed forces, local administration and citizens is essential for ensuring comprehensive border security.
“It is our responsibility to remain highly vigilant in order to curb the smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones and other modern equipment. The government is taking steps to install anti-drone systems within the next six months,” Shah said while addressing BSF personnel at the Sanchu Border Outpost in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district.
The Union Home Minister emphasised that effective coordination between security forces, civil authorities and alert citizens could help establish a strong and reliable security framework along the borders. “Unless this four-dimensional coordination is achieved, the vision of a fully secure border cannot be realised,” he said. He added that while monitoring threats originating from across the border remains important, equal focus must also be placed on internal elements supporting such activities from within the country. Strict legal action, he said, should be taken against those involved.
Referring to ongoing efforts, Shah said a series of meetings is being held with state governments and local administrations in border states including Bihar, Gujarat, Tripura and West Bengal to strengthen coordination and implement the proposed 'four-point security grid'.
The minister also praised the BSF for its role during Operation Sindoor, stating that the force not only safeguarded the borders effectively but also boosted the morale of people residing in frontier districts. Shah paid tribute to more than 2,000 BSF personnel who have sacrificed their lives since the force was established.
He said BSF jawans have served under some of the harshest conditions — from deserts and dense forests to snow-covered terrains with extreme weather — while displaying courage, discipline and the spirit of supreme sacrifice. “The sacrifice of these personnel is a debt on 140 crore Indians and the nation is proud of them,” Shah said.
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The Home Minister also inaugurated women’s barracks at the outpost and noted that women personnel had consistently exceeded expectations in carrying out border security duties.
He said infrastructure for women personnel was being expanded and facilities across all border outposts would be upgraded by 2030. Recalling the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Shah said the Sanchu outpost carries historical importance because Indian security personnel had successfully defended it despite heavy attacks by Pakistani forces.
He also highlighted measures being undertaken to improve border infrastructure in Rajasthan, including road development, new fencing designs and water pipeline connectivity for 180 border posts. Shah further stated that the Centre had expanded the BSF’s operational jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km along international borders to strengthen internal security amid evolving threats.
According to him, the decision, taken a few years ago, was aimed at addressing modern-day security challenges, including the misuse of technology by anti-national elements. “Securing the borders alone is not sufficient for national security. There is also a need to focus on regional security in coordination with state governments,” he said.
He noted that the BSF has also been instructed to alert civil authorities, including district collectors and police superintendents, regarding suspicious activities such as illegal constructions and unusual demographic changes in villages located within 50 km of the border.
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