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Drones, digital surveillance along remote borders: HM
Published : Tuesday, 1 September, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said modern drone technologies will make appearance along with upgraded surveillance in remote and forested border areas as enforcing security with manpower is extremely difficult in those situations.
He made the remarks at a press briefing following the inauguration of the Shimanto School of Surveillance and Drone Warfare at the Sylhet Headquarters of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Tuesday (September 1) morning.
Minister inagurated the specialized training center in the ceremony as chief guest and unveiled the nameplate.
He said ensuring security through manpower is extremely difficult in remote and heavily forested border areas.
Drones equipped with night-vision and thermal technology will enable round-the-clock digital surveillance in such areas, he added.
The use of thermal technology will also make it easier to monitor activities on the other side of the border at night and intercept routes used for smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal arms, Salahuddin said.
He said drone technology is also proving effective in natural and humanitarian disasters alongside border security.
BGB personnel recently used drones in rescue operations in remote areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and to deliver relief supplies directly to inaccessible locations, he said.
Salahuddin said BGB personnel are currently receiving border surveillance and drone warfare training at the school. The training framework will later be expanded to include civilian personnel and develop their skills in advanced technology and drone operation, he added.
He also said the institution will incorporate advanced drone technologies from around the world within the next one to two years to strengthen the country's overall security and technological capacity.
In response to a journalist's question about prosecution in drug cases and people disrupting law and order, the home minister said the Narcotics Control Act has been modernised, and the effectiveness of the relevant force is being strengthened through district-level laboratories, lockups, dog squads and modern weaponry.
He also said attempts to create mobs to obstruct legal processes would be dealt with strictly under existing laws.
BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui delivered the welcome address at the ceremony, while BGB Sylhet Sector Commander Colonel Mohammad Salahuddin delivered the opening remarks.
Before the inauguration, the minister was briefed on the specialised training programme at the school. He later toured the Drone School Complex and Display Centre and witnessed an operational drill and dynamic drone display conducted by BGB personnel.
Senior military and civil officials from BGB Headquarters and the local administration, along with representatives of various media outlets, attended the ceremony.
Shimanto School has been established as a specialised BGB training centre to make the country's border security system more modern, data-driven and technology-enabled. Its inauguration marks an expansion in the use of aerial drone technology along remote and vulnerable borders.
Notably, the home minister is scheduled to attend a special review meeting at the Sylhet Circuit House in the afternoon, with senior officials from the district administration and law enforcement agencies.
The meeting will review the overall law-and-order situation and development activities in Sylhet district.
Later, he will attend a discussion organised by the Sylhet district unit of the BNP at the Sylhet District Shilpakala Academy, where he will be the chief guest at an event marking the BNP's 48th founding anniversary.
-SA
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
