India Enhances Border Surveillance Amid Turkish Drone Deployment by Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: India has heightened the surveillance on its border with Bangladesh as it has received intelligence that Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones have been placed close to West Bengal. This move comes in as more terrorist activities are being reported within the region, especially as the political instability in Bangladesh heightens.

Sources claim that the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Bayraktar TB2, from Bangladesh's 67th Army, are mainly used for purposes of intelligence gathering, observation, and surveillance. Bangladesh confirms that the drones are for protective purposes, but India has aired its grievances over the fact that they are strategically set up in a sensitive spot near the Indian border.

Intelligence reports indicate that the radical groups, who were kept in check under Hasina's government, are now resurfacing along the border and using the political unrest in Bangladesh to gain entry into India. Terrorist and smuggling networks are taking advantage of the situation and infiltrating into India.

The Bayraktar TB2 drones, which Bangladesh imported earlier this year, enhances the country's surveillance capabilities. Bangladesh Defence Technology has confirmed that six of the 12 drones ordered are now operational.

India is closely monitoring the situation with the Army evaluating the potential of countermeasures in the shape of deploying Heron TP drones, and increasing counter-drone operations. Intelligence sharing with international partners is also used to track developments in Bangladesh.

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