CHANDIGARH: To bolster border security against the backdrop of the peaking India-Pakistan conflict, the Punjab cabinet on Friday approved the purchase of antidrone systems to combat weapon and drug smuggling across its 532 km border with Pakistan.

The state govt will spend Rs 51.41 crore on this security-enhancing initiative, installing nine antidrone units. Meanwhile, chief minister Bhagwant Mann appealed to the public not to panic and to ignore rumours.Following the emergency meeting of the council of minister, Mann announced the Cabinet's go-ahead for the anti-drone system budget. He added that the technology would cover the entire border from Pathankot to Abohar, preventing drone take-offs and neutralising any that enter the border state. These systems, he said, would supplement the BSF's existing units in combating drug and weapon smuggling via drones along the border.

“Punjab is standing firmly with the nation and is the first to face enemy bullets. We will safeguard the tricolour, and the waters of the state. The Army will be supported. There is no need to panic. Some shells were found in the fields (and will be examined),” he said.An official spokesperson added that Punjab shares a long international border with Pakistan and lies in proximity with Afghanistan, a major heroin producer.

Pakistan continues to make concerted efforts to destabilise India's internal security with cross-border smuggling, even using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones.“The requirement for an anti-drone system (ADS) to enhance the capability to detect and neutralise hostile drones, thereby preventing the influx of arms, explosives, and narcotics which are smuggled from across the border using the drones, is a must. Further, it is imperative for the purpose of security during the movement of VIP and ‘highly threatened’ persons in the state. ,” said the spokesperson.