The information shared by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) through a report, the increase in the use of drones to smuggle narcotics from across the border has emerged as a new disturbing challenge for the security forces.
As per the report, the drone intrusions along the Indo-Pak border have increased dramatically, rising from just 3 cases in 2021 to 305 cases in 2025, something which requires focused attention of the government and the agencies responsible to thwart all such bids to destabilize the country by various means including ruining the lives of youth, sponsoring terrorism through the proceeds of drugs sales and abetting separatism. The issue has not only entangled J&K but Punjab and Rajasthan have also been targeted through this conspiracy.
With passing of time, this issue has turned grave as both the numbers of incidents and the quantity of narcotics seized have increased manifold times in just a few years.
According to the report, in 2021 just three cases of drone incursions bringing 10 kg of narcotics were reported. Consequently, in 2025 the quantity of drugs has seen a dramatic surge as 468 Kg was seized in 305 cases. This trend has raised serious concerns which require focused attention as things could be left unattended.
Though Punjab accounted for the highest number of drone-based smuggling cases, with 298 out of 305 incidents and seizure of 461 kilograms of narcotics, mainly 449.751 kilograms of heroin and 9.018 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 2.65 kilograms of opium, the situation in J&K is also worrisome as it recorded the second-highest number of such incidents, with the seizure of 5.811 kilograms of heroin and 0.447 kilograms of opium.
It is good that presently J&K is taking extraordinary steps in curbing drug menace under the 100 days Nasha Mukt Abhiyan but the issue of drug smuggling from across the border using drones needs to tackled with iron hands as India cannot allow the rogue Pakistan to continue with its nefarious designs to destabilize J&K and in turn the whole nation.
With things becoming clearer through the publication of this report, it is the time for the government to take adequate steps to remove the gaps in current surveillance and interception capabilities along the borders to ensure that no unmanned aerial vehicle could breach Indian skies and bring along contraband items to this side.
All said and done, there is a dire need to procure an advanced anti-drone technology to stop Pakistan from indulging in such misdemeanors to dent the interests of India.
