BSF enhances border vigil in Punjab amid frequent Pakistani drone movements under fog cover
The Hindu
Drone movements from across the border to drop weapons and heroin into Indian territory have gone up considerably in the past few days in the wake of dense fog enveloping the region.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has stepped up vigil near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab amid increasing attempts by smugglers to push narcotics and weapons through drones under the cover of dense fog, an official has said.
Drone movements from across the border to drop weapons and heroin into Indian territory have gone up considerably in the past few days in the wake of dense fog enveloping the region.
"We have increased patrolling and 'nakas' (checkpoints) and BSF personnel are alert to thwart any bid by smugglers," said a senior official of the force.
A Punjab Police official said the movement of over 200 Pakistani drones had been recorded near the international border this year.
The officials said smugglers had increased their activities along the international border as the area was blanketed by dense fog.
With the fog reducing visibility to almost zero, BSF troops are relying on the buzzing noise to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles entering from Pakistan.
In just one month, they have gunned down eight drones, including hexacopters with six rotors, near the border areas, the BSF official said.
While residents are worried over deaths due to diarrhoea in Vijayawada, officials still grapple to find the root cause. Contaminated drinking water supplied by VMC officials is the reason, insist people in the affected areas, but officials insist that efforts are on to identify the disease and that those with symptoms other than diarrhoea too are visiting the health camps.