The Border Security Force (BSF) is forming its first-ever special "squadron" of drones to guard the India-Pakistan border. This move comes after the lessons learned during Operation Sindoor, where drones were used for deadly attacks.

This new drone team, called a "drone squadron", will be set up at select BSF border posts. It will include different types of drones -- some for spying, some for watching over the area, and others designed to attack if needed. Specially-trained BSF personnel will operate these drones.

All the drones in this squadron will be controlled from a central command room at the BSF's Western Command headquarters in Chandigarh. The BSF is mainly responsible for keeping India’s border with Pakistan safe.

The decision to create this drone squadron was taken after a detailed review of BSF's current security strengths, weaknesses, and threats. It is part of a bigger effort to strengthen the border and be better prepared for future drone attacks.

India launched Operation Sindoor to hit terrorist camps and military bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the deadly terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam's Baisaran Meadows. The operation began on May 7 and involved both the Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF).

In retaliation, Pakistan sent thousands of drones, including swarms of them, towards India. These drones tried to hit Indian military bases and even civilian areas along the western border.

On May 10, one Pakistani drone, loaded with bombs, dropped explosives on the Kharkola border post in Jammu's RS Pura area. The blast killed two BSF soldiers and one Army jawan.

According to sources, the BSF’s new drone squadron will be set up at select border posts (BOPs) along the more than 2,000-kilometre-long India-Pakistan border. This border stretches from Jammu in the north all the way through Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat in western India.

A small team of 2 to 3 trained personnel will be placed at certain important and sensitive border posts along the India-Pakistan border. These posts are being carefully selected. Some drones and related equipment are already being bought for this first drone squadron, and the selected BSF personnel are being trained in groups.

After the deadly drone attack on May 10, the BSF has also started strengthening its bunkers and other defence structures along the border. This is to better protect against future attacks where enemy drones might cross over and drop bombs or explosives.

The BSF is reinforcing the roofs and walls of its border post bunkers by using special metal sheets. Other safety steps are also being taken to protect the posts that are at higher risk of drone attacks.

A BSF officer posted along the India-Pakistan border said that the force is working closely with defence and intelligence agencies to place special anti-drone systems at key border posts. These systems will help detect and destroy dangerous or armed drones coming from Pakistan.