Punjab to establish anti-drone units in all districts

LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department has announced plans to establish anti-drone units in all districts of Punjab to counter unauthorised drones and strengthen aerial surveillance amid growing security concerns.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, the units will be equipped with specialised drone fleets to monitor district airspace and disable drones operated by miscreants or hostile elements using advanced jamming technology.

Officials said each anti-drone unit and its associated systems will operate under the supervision of the respective District Police Officer (DPO).

“The systems are designed to disable unauthorised drones operated by miscreants or enemies using advanced jamming technology,” a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department said.

The development follows the federal government’s recent decision to impose a nationwide ban on drone operations after tensions escalated between Pakistan and Afghanistan following border clashes.

Authorities also confirmed that Section 144 is currently enforced across Punjab, prohibiting the flying of outdoor drones due to ongoing security concerns.

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The federal government imposed the nationwide ban after intense clashes erupted along the border on February 26, triggered by what officials described as unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban regime.

During a press briefing on February 27, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, said drone attacks in Abbottabad and Nowshera were successfully foiled during exchanges of fire with Taliban forces.

Meanwhile, Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information, confirmed that security forces had neutralised several small drones launched by militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the escalation in tensions.