Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Tuesday said the tunnels and drones found recently along the India-Pakistan border to allow infiltration and smuggling of drugs was proof of the neighbouring country’s hostility towards India.
Mr. Rai was speaking at the Raising Day parade of the Border Security Force (BSF). The event was delayed for around two hours after Home Minister Amit Shah, who was expected as the chief guest, cancelled his visit to attend to to “important work”. Mr. Rai filled in for Mr. Shah at the last moment, an official said.
BSF Director-General Rakesh Asthana said the force was trying to find technical solutions to counter drones being used to smuggle weapons from Pakistan. On June 20, the BSF intercepted a drone with a payload of weapons and ammunition along the Kathua border in Jammu, he said. The BSF was raised in 1965 after the India-Pakistan war. The 2.65-lakh force is deployed along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.