Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth in Chandigarh on Monday and discussed a range of national security, border management and defence-related issues concerning the state.
During the meeting, Mann stressed the need for stronger coordination between the Punjab government and the Indian Army to safeguard the state and the nation. He also called for strengthening the second line of defence along the border and enhancing cooperation between the Army and state security agencies.
A key issue raised during the discussions was the growing need to strengthen anti-drone surveillance along Punjab’s border with Pakistan. Mann emphasised the importance of deploying enhanced anti-drone technology and low-lying interceptive radars to counter the use of drones for cross-border smuggling and other security threats.
Punjab shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, making effective surveillance of low-altitude airspace particularly important. The Chief Minister sought the support of the Chief of the Army Staff in augmenting the capabilities of the Punjab Police, which he described as an important second line of defence.
Mann highlighted that Punjab has already taken steps towards strengthening its counter-drone capabilities and stated that the state was the first in the country to install its own anti-drone technology. He stressed that continued technological enhancement and closer coordination with the armed forces would be important to address evolving threats along the border.
The meeting also covered the recruitment of young people from Punjab into the armed forces. Mann said Punjabis have historically played a major role in safeguarding the country’s borders and reiterated the state government’s efforts to increase recruitment from the state.
He highlighted the role of the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, along with the network of C-PyTE centres, in preparing young people for careers in the armed forces.
The Chief Minister also raised issues concerning the welfare of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen. He said the Punjab government remains committed to supporting veterans and pointed to measures aimed at providing employment opportunities to ex-servicemen working through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation.
Mann also informed the Army Chief that the Punjab government had provided 200 acres of prime land in Ropar to the Army. He said the land could be utilised to support and strengthen activities connected with the defence sector.
The Chief Minister recalled Punjab’s longstanding contribution to national security and said the state would continue to uphold its tradition of supporting the unity and integrity of the country. He also expressed appreciation for the Army’s assistance to the people of Punjab during times of crisis, particularly during the recent floods.
General Dhiraj Seth expressed his gratitude to the Punjab government for its policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the welfare of veterans. The interaction provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss areas requiring closer coordination between civil authorities and the armed forces.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Ravi Bhagat, Special DGP PK Sinha, Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh and other senior officials.
The discussions underline the importance of closer civil-military cooperation in Punjab, particularly in the areas of border security, counter-drone preparedness, youth recruitment, defence infrastructure and veteran welfare.
