CAA, Border Security Tightens Further: What is the BSF’s ‘Durga Drone Squadron’? Discover India’s New Border Technology

 ReportedbySanchita chatterjee:  

The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Border Security Force (BSF) has manifold increased surveillance along the India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan borders. To curb infiltration as well as the smuggling of weapons and narcotics, the BSF has now deployed state-of-the-art drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and specially trained ‘drone squadrons’ in the field. For those attempting to illegally enter India by breaching the barbed-wire fences, crossing the border has now become nearly impossible.

The Nation’s First ‘Dedicated Drone Squadron’

To combat infiltration and smuggling, the BSF has established its own dedicated ‘Drone Squadron.’ The primary objective of this unit is to patrol the border airspace 24 hours a day, around the clock. Specifically, in the darkness of night or amidst dense fog, the drones’ high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging capabilities will instantly detect any movement occurring beyond the barbed-wire fence. An alert is immediately transmitted to the control room, enabling patrolling personnel to reach the location within minutes.

The ‘Durga Drone Squadron’: A New Benchmark for Women’s Empowerment

For the first time in the history of the BSF, an all-female drone operations unit—dubbed the ‘Durga Drone Squadron’—has been formed. The female personnel within this unit are specially trained drone pilots. They are currently conducting surveillance operations by piloting drones in sensitive sectors along the India-Pakistan border. Amidst the nationwide discourse surrounding the CAA, the ‘Durga Squadron’ stands as a testament to the fact that women are equally at the forefront of ensuring border security.

 MALE Drones: Keeping a Watch Deep Within the Border

The BSF fleet has been bolstered by the addition of ‘Medium Altitude Long Endurance’ (MALE) drones. These drones are capable of flying continuously for 24 to 30 hours at medium altitudes. Consequently, it has become possible to monitor enemy camps, launch pads, or the movements of smugglers up to 50–70 kilometers deep inside the border territory. MALE drones have been deployed in anticipation of a potential surge in attempts at illegal infiltration following the implementation of the CAA.

 ‘Drone Warfare School’ in Gwalior

The country’s first ‘Drone Warfare School’ has been inaugurated in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Here, BSF personnel are being trained in drone piloting, offensive drone operations, and strategies for neutralizing enemy drones. Drones are poised to become a major weapon in future warfare; therefore, the BSF is preparing its forces for this reality starting now.

AI-Based Anti-Drone System

There are frequent attempts from Pakistan to smuggle weapons, narcotics, and counterfeit currency across the border using drones. To counter this threat, the BSF has deployed an AI-driven anti-drone system. This system comprises radar, infrared cameras, and radio frequency analyzers. The AI ​​detects any unidentified drone the moment it enters a 5-kilometer radius of the border. Subsequently, its signals are neutralized using jammers, or the drone is destroyed using lasers.

What is the Connection Between the CAA and the BSF?

Under the provisions of the CAA, non-Muslim refugees arriving from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan prior to December 31, 2014, are eligible to receive Indian citizenship. However, the BSF will take strict action against those who illegally cross the barbed-wire fence to enter the country after this cutoff date. These new drones and AI technologies are designed to execute this task with even greater precision.

The CAA is not merely a piece of legislation; it is inextricably linked to the critical issue of border security. The BSF’s ‘Durga Squadron,’ combined with its state-of-the-art drone technology, serves as proof that India’s borders are now far more secure than ever before. For infiltrators, crossing the barbed-wire fence has now become a nightmare.

What are your thoughts?  Has the border become more secure following the CAA? Let us know in the comments.