Punjab Set to Install Anti-Drone Systems Along Border Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions: DGP Gaurav Yadav

• Apr 28, 2025

Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced on Monday that the testing phase of the state's new anti-drone systems has been successfully completed. Installations will soon begin along the second line of defence across the border areas.

Addressing a press conference, DGP Yadav stated that the deployment will be coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Border Security Force (BSF).
“We are fully prepared. In the coming months, we will be able to intercept drones that attempt to smuggle drugs and weapons from Pakistan. Several coordination meetings with the MHA and BSF have already been conducted,” he said.

Highlighting recent crackdowns, Yadav revealed that police have arrested 31 major hawala operators linked to laundering drug money—marking a significant breakthrough. Over ₹8 crore in illicit funds was seized during the operation. To further disrupt criminal networks, the Punjab Government has approved the transfer of key prisoners, including drug traffickers and hawala operatives, to prisons in other states.

Clarifying the government’s May 31 deadline to achieve a "drug-free Punjab," DGP Yadav explained that the focus is on eliminating drug availability rather than chasing arrest or seizure quotas.
“‘Drug-free’ means ensuring drugs are no longer accessible on the streets. No numerical targets have been set for police commissioners or district SSPs regarding arrests or recoveries,” he emphasized.

Post-deadline, field surveys, assisted by intelligence units, will evaluate district performance. Yadav said district heads achieving a drug-free status would be rewarded, while underperformers would face accountability measures. However, he stressed that the reviews would not be based solely on statistics.

In line with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s directive, the police will prioritize rehabilitation over punishment for addicts and small-time peddlers. Cases will not be registered against individuals found with small quantities of intoxicants; instead, they will be directed to de-addiction and rehabilitation centers under special provisions of the NDPS Act.

To accelerate the judicial process in narcotics cases, the Punjab Government has secured approval from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to establish 30 special NDPS courts.

DGP Yadav also praised the work of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), headed by Special DGP Kuldip Singh, for achieving a 90% conviction rate in NDPS-related cases.

Responding to concerns regarding an increase in police encounters, Yadav asserted that the Punjab Police operates with zero tolerance toward attacks on law enforcement.
“We will always act in self-defence,” he said.