Pakistan is very effectively using drones for surveillance and smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics across the border, BSF Director General Rakesh Asthana said on Wednesday. In 2019, there were 167 recorded sightings of drones on the Western front. In 2020, there were 77 sightings of drones on this front," he said at a seminar organised by FICCI at Aero India 2021 exhibition. Asthana added that there have been instances of dropping of arms, ammunition, explosives and narcotics through the drones, particularly in Punjab and Jammu sectors.
"As per intelligence inputs, the Pakistan Army is looking for mini or small UAVs which can stay for several hours in the air to monitor the borders with a preferable range of 150 kms," he added.