Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday that modern drone technology will make overall border management, security and surveillance more effective and easier, particularly in remote and forested areas.

He made the remarks at a press conference after inaugurating the “Shimanto School of Surveillance and Drone Warfare (SSSDW)” at the Sylhet sector headquarters of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the morning.

The minister, who attended the programme as the chief guest, inaugurated the specialised training centre by unveiling its nameplate.

Salahuddin said night-vision and thermal technology-equipped drones would be used to conduct round-the-clock modern digital surveillance in remote and forested areas along the border where ensuring security through deployment of personnel on the ground is extremely difficult.

The use of thermal technology would make it easier to monitor activities on the other side of the border, even in darkness, and to identify and prevent routes used for smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal arms, he said.

The minister also said the technological capabilities of drones were playing an effective role not only in border security but also in natural and humanitarian disasters.

Recently, BGB personnel successfully used drones in rescue operations in remote areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts and to deliver relief materials directly to inaccessible locations, he said.

Salahuddin said BGB members were currently receiving training in border surveillance and drone warfare at the school, but the training programme would be expanded in the future to equip civilian personnel with advanced technological and drone-operation skills.

“Over the next one to two years, all the most advanced drone technologies in the world will be incorporated into this training institution to enhance the country’s overall security and capabilities,” he said.

Responding to a question from journalists about the prosecution of drug cases and attempts to disrupt law and order, the home minister said the Narcotics Control Act has been updated and the effectiveness of the relevant forces is being enhanced several times through laboratories, detention facilities, dog squads and modern weapons at the district level.

At the same time, he said, any attempt to create a “mob” to obstruct the legal process would be dealt with very strictly under the existing laws.