The Special Director General of the BSF for the Western Command disclosed that a staggering tally of 95 drones, predominantly originating from Punjab, have been intercepted and confiscated this calendar year. The revelations made by the Special Director General of the BSF are indeed disconcerting. The methodologies employed by smugglers are marked by innovation, presenting ample possibilities to elude detection. Despite the seizure of a substantial 775 kg of narcotics and arrest of 36 Pakistani nationals, the unrelenting nature of drug smuggling persists, with Punjab emerging as the primary target in the northern region. The threat extends beyond Punjab, encompassing the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, as evidenced by the recent substantial heroin haul from Punjab youth in Ramban. In response to this escalating challenge, the BSF has implemented various countermeasures, including the strategic mapping of vulnerable border areas, the deployment of anti-drone equipment, and enhanced collaboration with farmers and residents of border villages. However, the persistent status of Punjab as a hub for smuggling remains a significant concern.
The proliferation of narcotics has evolved into a pressing concern for the region, with the funds generated contributing to terrorism. More significantly, the youth in the area are grappling with drug addiction, reaching an alarming point where a drug-addicted youth enters a hospital or drug addiction centre every 12 minutes. According to a parliamentary panel report, an astonishing 13.5 lakh drug addicts were identified in Jammu and Kashmir alone, based on the 2018 census, a number that has likely surged exponentially since then. Extraordinary efforts from all stakeholders are imperative to combat drug smuggling, and the BSF must assume a pivotal role in this collective endeavour. Emphasising the crucial role of local intelligence, it is evident that no region is immune, necessitating heightened vigilance from all agencies to counter drug smuggling at every juncture. The need for constant alertness and coordinated efforts is paramount in the collective endeavour to curtail the menace of narcotics trafficking.
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