'Punjab Will Buy Its Own Anti-Drone Tech': Bhagwant Mann Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Friday that his government would buy its own anti-drone systems for the state amid ongoing India-Pakistan tension.

File photo of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Source : PTI

Hours after India retaliated against Pakistani drones and missiles that attempted to target military facilities in cities along the western and northern frontiers of the region, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Friday that his government would buy its own anti-drone systems for the state.

CM Bhagwant Mann stated that Punjab shared a 532 km border with Pakistan. “We have six border districts. We will buy our own anti-drone system. The Border Security Force (BSF) is also supporting us. The BSF already has anti-drone systems. But we will buy more and help the security personnel. Drones will not be allowed to enter our territory and will be felled. Punjab stands with India,” the Indian Express quoted Mann as saying.

Punjab Govt On ‘Farishtey Scheme’

On Friday, an emergency meeting of the Cabinet was called by Mann amid the ongoing tensions along the border. During the meeting, he outlined the cabinet's decision on the ‘Farishtey Scheme’, which would be extended to the victims of war and terrorism. Currently, under this scheme, road accident victims get immediate help on the roads from the Sadak Surakheya Force.

“Considering the ongoing circumstances, we have decided that the scheme would also cover victims of war and terrorism. Under this scheme, free medical treatment would be given to these victims,” Mann added.

He mentioned that the government was maintaining constant communication with the deputy commissioners and tehsildars in the border regions. “We will coordinate with the Army. There is no need to panic, no need to listen to any rumours. Some shells have been found in fields. But Punjabis do not fear anything. They have always stood firm with the country. Punjab will stand guard for the Tricolour and its waters. We have filled all the vacant posts in the border areas to ensure that we are on top of the situation,” Mann added.

Mann further stated that members of his Cabinet were being deployed to border districts to prevent hoarding and black-marketing of essential goods. Ministers from these areas, including Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Lal Chand Kataruchak, and Laljit Bhullar, along with other officials, would remain stationed there to monitor and assess the situation.