India to form anti-drone unit for safe border: Amit Shah

He said that recognising the challenge, a laser-equipped anti-drone gun mount system has been developed through a “whole government approach” involving all border security forces, the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, and various research departments of the Indian government. He noted that 55 per cent of drone intrusions along the International Border with Punjab have been intercepted and neutralised using the system, a significant improvement from around 3 per cent earlier.

“Within a few years, a comprehensive anti-drone unit will be established to protect the country from threats posed by drones,” he said.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Shah said that the Modi government has also introduced a Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) for monitoring sensitive areas along the International Border, and that the initial results from the pilot project in Dhubri, Assam, have been “very encouraging”.

After some improvements, the system will be used across the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Efforts have also been made to strengthen border fencing, construct roads on the Indian side of the border, and undertake several other infrastructure projects, the minister said. The Home Minister said that meeting the country’s growing security needs would be impossible without the BSF, which has grown from 25 battalions at the time of its inception to 193 battalions now.

With 2.7 lakh personnel, the BSF is the world’s largest border guarding force, he said. In 2024, the BSF maintained its record of combating counterfeit currency, narcotics, infiltration, and left-wing extremism through various operations, he noted.

As the nation’s first line of defence, 1992 BSF personnel have sacrificed their lives, and 1,330 of them have been awarded medals. These include 1 Maha Vir Chakra, 6 Kirti Chakras, 13 Vir Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, 56 Sena Medals, and 1,241 Police Medals, the minister said.
Shah stressed that the Modi government has undertaken several initiatives for the welfare of security forces.

“Through the Ayushman – Central Armed Police Forces (Ayushman CAPF scheme) cards have been issued to 41,21,443 personnel and their family members. Thousands of hospitals have been linked with this card to ensure healthcare for the soldiers and their families,” Shah said, adding that claims worth Rs 1,600 crore, covering 14.83 lakh cases, have been settled so far.