Shillong, Dec 15 (UNI) Indian security agencies have intensified air surveillance along the Bangladesh border after Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were detected flying close to the borders of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
Though the Bangladesh authorities claimed the UAVs, operated by Bangladesh’s 67th Army were routine intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, the Indian agencies are put on high alert.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and increased our vigilance along the Bangladesh border to address evolving security challenges and to ensure the safety and security of our borders,” a senior defence official told UNI on condition of anonymity.
The alert along the Bangladesh border has been sounded after one of the UAVs, identified by its transponder code TB2R1071, was seen flying close to the borders along Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
The UAV was reportedly operated from the Tejgaon Airbase near Dhaka in Bangladesh.
“We have the capability to track and shoot down any drone or any object that violates Indian airspace,” the official said, adding that there is a peace SoP (Standard Operating Procedure) which states that no aircraft flies 10 Km near the border.
However, sometimes both manned and unmanned aircraft trespass into another country’s airspace. First aerial warning is issued, and subsequently fighter jets are pressed into service, the defence official said.
While the intentions of the Bangladeshi UAVs flying close to the Indian border is ascertained, it was reported that the Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone with advanced surveillance capabilities, including high-definition video and thermal imaging.
The UAVs are also equipped for tactical operations with precision-guided munitions (PGM), also known as smart bombs, are weapons that use guidance systems to hit specific targets while minimizing collateral damage.
Another Indian official termed the deployment of the Turkish-made drones along the Indian border as “mere posturing to appease Bangladeshi people in that country”, having a fluid situation that is getting out of hand of the Muhammad Yunus-run government.
After the “monsoon revolution” which forced Sheikh Hasina to escaped to India, Indian security agencies have heightened vigilance along the 4,096 km-long border by Bangladesh.
Inspector General of BSF Meghalaya Frontier, Harbax Singh Dhillon said, the border situation is normal and minor issues were resolved with its Bangladesh counterpart the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in recent times and channels of communication are always open.
“We are ready to face any eventuality. We are keeping a close watch on the border so that there is no infiltration from Bangladesh,” Dhillon said after being asked about the deployment of the UAVs along the India-Bangladesh border.
UNI
