In a landmark step to curb the cross-border supply of narcotics, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday jointly flagged off the Baaj Akh Anti-Drone System (ADS), marking Punjab as the first state in India to deploy such advanced technology at the international border. The initiative is part of the stateтАЩs aggressive тАЬWar Against DrugsтАЭ campaign, aimed at dismantling smuggling networks and safeguarding the youth from the devastating impact of narcotics.
Speaking to the media after the launch, Arvind Kejriwal described the deployment as a decisive turning point in PunjabтАЩs fight against drugs. He accused previous state governments of being complicit with drug traffickers, allowing the problem to worsen over the years. In sharp contrast, he said, the current administration had initiated a sweeping crackdown, putting major figures in the illegal trade behind bars and demolishing properties acquired through illicit drug profits. He further asserted that these smugglersтАФwho live lavishly while destroying livesтАФare the true enemies of Punjab, and the government would pursue them relentlessly.
Kejriwal revealed that three anti-drone systems have already been launched, with six more scheduled to be operational soon. The systems are designed to track and neutralize drones used to transport drugs and weapons from across the Pakistan border. Stressing the governmentтАЩs zero-tolerance policy, he said the aim is to make Punjab a drug-free state through a combination of technology, enforcement, and community awareness.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, noting PunjabтАЩs 553-kilometer-long border with Pakistan, one of the most vulnerable regions for cross-border smuggling of narcotics and arms. He explained that nine anti-drone units will be established along the border at an estimated cost of тВ╣51.4 crore. While the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian armed forces have been using such systems, Punjab is the first state government to independently deploy them as a тАЬSecond Line of DefenseтАЭ behind the BSFтАЩs front-line positions.
According to the Chief Minister, the ADS technology will be installed at specific high-risk border points where drone activity has been most frequent. The system is capable of accurately detecting a droneтАЩs position as well as its ground control station. It is equipped with automated alert mechanisms that immediately notify security agencies upon detecting movement, reducing the need for constant manual surveillance. The system will operate in close coordination with the BSF, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and other national security agencies.
Mann disclosed that the scale of drone-based smuggling has been alarming. In 2024 alone, security forces recovered 283 drones carrying heroin, weapons, and ammunition. In 2025, 137 drones have already been seized in the first part of the year. By deploying the ADS from Pathankot to Fazilka, the state aims to ensure that any drone entering Punjab through the border is intercepted and neutralized before it can deliver its payload.
Beyond enforcement, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of prevention and awareness. As part of the third phase of the тАЬYudh Nashean De VirudhтАЭ campaign, a special anti-drug syllabus has been introduced in all government schools for students in classes 9 to 12. This program will reach approximately 8 lakh students across 3,658 schools, educating them about the dangers of drug abuse. Eminent scientists and experts will participate in these awareness drives to encourage young people to reject narcotics.
Mann reiterated his belief that the drug problem in Punjab was not accidental but the result of a deliberate conspiracy since 2009, allegedly facilitated by certain political leaders. He said his administration has worked through meticulous planning to bring even high-profile offenders to justice, regardless of their political or social influence. The message, he stressed, is clear: no one involved in the drug trade will be spared.
Congratulating Punjab Police and other security forces for their tireless work in protecting the state from the scourge of drugs, Mann said the fight has now reached a decisive stage. With a combination of cutting-edge technology like the Baaj Akh ADS, robust enforcement mechanisms, and preventive education, the state is aiming to set an example for the rest of the country in combating narcotics trafficking.
The launch ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, underscoring the governmentтАЩs commitment to a multi-agency approach in this battle. The Chief Minister made it clear that PunjabтАЩs borders will now be more secure than ever, and its youth better protected from the dangers of drugs.
This news is sourced from the web media coming from international news websites.
