A Chinese-made drone was recently discovered near the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, raising significant security concerns along this sensitive international boundary. The drone, clearly marked as "Made in China" and weighing approximately 915 grams, was equipped with two high-resolution cameras—a feature not usually found on most civilian drones and which may indicate specialised surveillance capabilities.

The incident unfolded when a young boy found the device lying in a paddy field about 650 metres from the Durgabari Border Outpost of the Border Security Force (BSF). The boy, unaware of the significance, took the drone home and attempted to clean it with water before his family recognised its unusual nature and alerted the authorities.

The Tripura Police responded swiftly to the family's tip-off, securing the drone and immediately sending it to the state government’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for a preliminary forensic examination. Law enforcement officials have indicated that as of now, it is not yet clear how the drone entered Indian territory, and its precise origin—whether it was flown across the border intentionally, accidentally, or by other means—remains unknown.

Security agencies are considering several possibilities regarding its purpose, including potential use for surveillance, reconnaissance, or to facilitate trans-border crimes—a concern previously noted by the BSF with respect to drone incidents on both the western and eastern frontiers.

After the completion of the forensic analysis at the FSL, police intend to hand over the drone to the BSF. The BSF then plans to send the device to its headquarters in New Delhi for a meticulous and technical study.

A meeting between BSF and Tripura Police officials has already taken place to coordinate these next steps. The BSF’s forthcoming investigation will aim to determine the drone’s technical specifications, operational capabilities, and whether it was adapted or used for espionage or illegal transport across the border.

This incident is part of a recent pattern of drone-related security alerts along India's borders. In Tripura alone, other drones suspected to have crossed from Bangladesh have been recovered in previous months, intensifying the focus on aerial surveillance and the potential for drones to breach border security.

Tripura shares an 857-km stretch of the 4,096.7-kilometre-long India-Bangladesh border, with much of the area already fenced, but terrain complexity and evolving tactics continue to pose challenges.

The recovery of a foreign-manufactured and potentially high-spec drone so close to the international border has heightened concerns among Indian authorities. It underscores the critical importance of robust border surveillance, advancements in anti-drone technology, and enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies to promptly identify and neutralise aerial threats.

The outcome of the BSF’s comprehensive study and the forensic examination will provide crucial intelligence regarding the drone’s last known flights, data storage, and possible links to cross-border activities, ultimately contributing to risk mitigation strategies on the India-Bangladesh border.

Based On ET News Report