1. Pathankot district introduces a Drone Emergency Response System (DERS) to tackle the smuggling of drugs and weapons via unmanned aerial vehicles along the India-Pakistan border.
2. Under the guidance of Senior Superintendent of Police Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh, Pathankot spearheads the implementation of the DERS, setting an example for other border districts in Punjab.
3. Village police officers (VPOs) are stationed in 14 villages within a two-kilometer radius of the international border, working in coordination with village-level defense committees (VLDCs) to identify and respond to suspicious drone activities.
4. When a drone movement is detected, the VPOs activate the VLDC and promptly inform the police control room to initiate a rapid response.
5. The VPOs and VLDCs ensure the cordoning off of areas where contraband or weapons have been dropped by Pakistani drones, preventing retrieval by smugglers or miscreants.
6. Senior Superintendent of Police Khakh’s strategic planning, expertise, and coordination with village communities have been instrumental in the successful implementation of the DERS in Pathankot.
7. The DERS enables a swift and tiered response, with initial action taken without delay, followed by secondary and tertiary responses within specific timeframes, facilitating the quick apprehension of individuals involved in illegal activities.
8. Pathankot’s exemplary efforts in implementing the DERS have received commendation from both the Punjab Police and district administrations, recognizing their commitment to border security, drug seizure, and tackling the challenges posed by unmanned aerial smuggling.
9. The initiative highlights the collaboration between local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and village communities to safeguard against cross-border smuggling and maintain constant vigilance in the border regions.
10. The success of the Pathankot DERS pilot program, led by Senior Superintendent of Police Khakh, sets the stage for the expansion of the system to other border districts in Punjab, bolstering security measures and countering the persistent threat of drone-based smuggling.