New Delhi, Aug 4: Security agencies have been placed on high alert following the sighting of a suspected Chinese-made drone near the Durgabari Outpost of the Border Security Force (BSF) in West Tripura district along the India-Bangladesh border. The drone, equipped with two high-resolution cameras, is being sent to Delhi for forensic examination. Initial assessments suggest it was not a civilian drone.
Intelligence inputs indicate a possible surge in drone activity along the border, with fears that rogue elements may use such devices for surveillance of Indian security forces, facilitating illegal infiltration, smuggling of cattle and drugs, and circulation of counterfeit currency.
Officials draw parallels with past patterns observed at the Line of Control and the India-Pakistan border, where drone sightings evolved from surveillance missions to the delivery of arms and narcotics. Similar tactics may now be employed along the Bangladesh border, raising serious security concerns.
Further complicating matters, Bangladesh’s military has deployed Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones—armed unmanned aerial vehicles capable of advanced surveillance. These drones, while operating within Bangladesh’s territory, have been observed near the Indian border in Tripura and Meghalaya, particularly in the East Khasi Hills.
Agencies fear that deteriorating India-Bangladesh ties could lead to increased illegal infiltration and drone-based operations. The BSF has been alerted to stay vigilant as both rogue drones and military UAVs may intensify border surveillance.
India has begun ramping up its counter-drone efforts, deploying systems like the DRDO-developed D4, which can detect, track, jam, or neutralize drones. While these systems are currently concentrated in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, similar deployments are being considered for the India-Bangladesh border in response to emerging threats.
Authorities emphasize the urgent need to strengthen drone defense capabilities in the region.
