News Brief
India Steps Up Surveillance After Bangladesh Deploys Turkish-Made Bayraktar TB2 Drones Near Border
Turkish Bayraktar drone (Representative Image)
India has ramped up surveillance along its border with Bangladesh following reports that Turkish-made drones have been deployed near West Bengal, according to sources cited by India Today.
This comes as intelligence suggests a rise in terrorist activities along the border after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government.
The Army is currently verifying reports regarding the deployment of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near the Indian border, the report said citing sources.
Operated by Bangladesh's 67th Army, these drones are used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Although Bangladesh has claimed that the drones are for defensive purposes, India remains cautious about their strategic implications in this sensitive area.
Intelligence inputs indicate that extremist groups, suppressed during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, are regaining ground in areas near the Indian border.
Reports also suggest that terror organisations and smuggling networks are exploiting Bangladesh’s political instability to attempt infiltration into India.
Bangladesh acquired Bayraktar TB2 drones earlier this year, significantly boosting its capacity for surveillance and light strike missions.
Defence Technology of Bangladesh (DTB) reported that six out of the 12 drones ordered are now operational.
With unrest continuing in Bangladesh, Indian armed forces are on high alert and are closely monitoring the recent drone deployments.
The forces may consider deploying Heron TP drones and stepping up counter-drone operations in sensitive areas.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and will take countermeasures as necessary to ensure the safety and security of our borders," a senior defence official was quoted as saying in the India Today report.
India is also leveraging intelligence-sharing mechanisms and cooperation with international partners to track the situation in Bangladesh.
