A suspected surveillance drone found 600 meters from the Bangladesh border in Tripura prompts investigation by BSF and state police.
Authorities in Tripura have launched a comprehensive investigation following the recovery of a suspected Bangladeshi drone within Indian territory, raising significant security concerns in the sensitive border region. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has sent shockwaves through Ballamukha village, located in the Bilonia subdivision of southern Tripura, not far from the international boundary.
The mini drone was first spotted by local farmer Sadhan Mazumdar in a paddy field. The field lies well within Indian territory, inside the barbed wire fencing and roughly 600 meters from the zero line of the India-Bangladesh border. Upon noticing the drone, Mazumdar immediately alerted other villagers, who then informed the local police.
The quick response led to the arrival of security personnel, who secured the area and took possession of the unmanned aerial vehicle. Officials are now focused on uncovering the drone’s origin, purpose, and any data it may have gathered during its flight.
Police officer Swapan Sen, who is part of the investigative team, confirmed that preliminary assessments point to the drone originating from across the border. “Initial findings suggest that the drone may have entered Indian territory from Bangladesh. We are examining if it was being used for surveillance or if there was any other motive behind its deployment,” Sen stated.
According to accounts from local residents, this is not the first sighting of such a device in the area. Villagers reported having seen a drone flying overhead a few days earlier, seemingly conducting an aerial survey. Investigators are now trying to determine whether the drone discovered in the paddy field is the same one seen earlier.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has joined hands with the Tripura Police to conduct a joint investigation. Given the area’s proximity to an international border and its history of infiltration attempts, the discovery of an unidentified drone has sparked serious concerns.
Tripura shares an 856-kilometer-long international border with Bangladesh, making it the second-longest border with the neighboring country after West Bengal, which shares 2,216 km. In total, four northeastern Indian states—Tripura, Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km), and Assam (263 km)—collectively share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, much of which remains porous and difficult to monitor effectively.
The state government has consistently flagged illegal cross-border activities, including infiltration, smuggling, and human trafficking, as significant concerns. In response to these challenges, Tripura has been strengthening its security infrastructure.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha addressed the issue during a recent session of the state Assembly. He emphasized the government’s commitment to securing the border and highlighted the steps taken to curb illegal entry. “Our forces, including the BSF and Tripura State Rifles, are maintaining round-the-clock vigil, especially in vulnerable stretches where fencing is incomplete. Joint patrols have been intensified, and security forces are acting swiftly based on intelligence inputs,” Saha said.
The Chief Minister further informed the Assembly that a total of 742 cases had been registered under the Indian Passports Act and the Foreigners Act over the past three years. These include 112 cases in 2022, 303 in 2023, and 327 cases in the first few months of 2024. He also noted the formation of district-level Anti-Human Trafficking Units to tackle human trafficking along the border regions.
As the investigation into the recovered drone continues, both state and central security agencies remain on heightened alert. The authorities are analyzing the device for any technical data, including flight logs and surveillance footage, which could shed light on its mission and origin.
The incident has brought renewed focus to the need for technological surveillance systems, including anti-drone mechanisms, to secure India’s borders against evolving threats. While no immediate danger has been confirmed, the presence of a drone near a vulnerable international boundary has reinforced concerns about potential cross-border surveillance and the use of modern technology in unconventional security threats.
For now, the villagers of Ballamukha remain vigilant, and security forces are keeping a close watch on the area to ensure that any further incidents are swiftly addressed.
