Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nisith Pramanik in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday said that anti-national elements and smugglers were using drones for smuggling of arms and narcotics across India-Pakistan border in the state of Punjab. In the last three years and till June 30, 2023, 53 incidents of recovery of drones involved in smuggling of Arms/Narcotics have been detected, stated a Ministry of Home Affairs release.

Minister of State Nisith Pramanik said that the steps taken by the Government in this regard included, "Effective domination of the borders being done by BSF by carrying out round the clock surveillance of the border, viz. patrolling, laying nakas, manning observation posts all along the International Border. Erection of Border Fence on the International Border. Installation of Border Flood lights along Border Security Fence to light up the area during hours of darkness and strengthening of intelligence network and coordination with other security agencies."