Powerand BLA threats along Afghan border
ISLAMABAD: In a rare public demonstration of military technology, theFrontier Corps Balochistan has showcased its growing fleet of surveillanceand armed drones and quadcopters, marking a significant evolution inPakistan’s counterterrorism strategy along the porous border withAfghanistan. The carefully orchestrated display, attended by seniormilitary officials and select media, highlighted systems capable ofpersistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), thermalimaging, and precision strikes.
Military sources described the event as a deliberate signal to militantgroups, particularly the Tehreek-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) and theBalochistan Liberation Army (BLA), whose cross-border operations haveintensified following several deadly attacks in recent months. Theintroduction of drone-enabled persistent surveillance is expected to denymilitants the traditional advantages of terrain concealment and rapidmobility that have long frustrated conventional ground patrols.
Analysts note that Pakistan has historically maintained strict operationalsecrecy around its unmanned aerial capabilities, making the currenttransparency noteworthy. The decision to reveal these assets publiclyappears designed to deter potential escalations by demonstrating thatfuture militant activity will occur under constant aerial monitoring,significantly raising the operational risk for armed groups.
The showcased platforms include both imported systems and an increasingnumber of domestically developed drones produced by Pakistan’s expandingdefence industry. Officials emphasised that indigenous manufacturing hassubstantially reduced costs and dependency on foreign suppliers, allowingwider deployment across remote border regions. This development enablessustained operations without the logistical and diplomatic constraintspreviously associated with requests for advanced systems from the UnitedStates or Gulf partners.
The timing of the demonstration coincides with heightened security concernsfollowing coordinated attacks attributed to TTA-aligned factions and BLAcells operating from sanctuaries across the Durand Line. Security officialsmaintain that enhanced drone coverage will provide real-time intelligenceand rapid response options, fundamentally altering the tactical environmentalong one of South Asia’s most volatile frontiers.
Regional observers interpret the move as part of broader effort byIslamabad to assert operational autonomy in counterterrorism while sendingmeasured message to both militant organisations and neighbouringintelligence services. The integration of armed quadcopters alongsidelarger surveillance drones suggests Pakistan now possesses layered aerialcapability that can track, identify, and neutralise threats withunprecedented speed and precision.
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The public unveiling underscores Pakistan’s determination to addressevolving security challenges through technological modernisation andself-reliance, ensuring that any resurgence of militancy along the westernborder will face significantly more sophisticated and persistent opposition.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1876543
Source:https://tribune.com.pk/story/2512345/frontier-corps-showcases-drone-capabilities
Tags: Pakistan, Balochistan, Frontier Corps, TTA, BLA, Afghanistan, Drones
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