In a significant development, a drone was discovered near the security tower of Kapurthala Modern Jail on the morning of February 18, once again raising concerns about attempts to smuggle prohibited items into correctional facilities through aerial devices.
As per reports, officials said that jail staff on routine patrol duty during the night heard a loud noise and observed suspicious movement above the secured perimeter of the prison complex located on Subhanpur Road at Theh Kanjla.
Sensing a possible security breach, authorities immediately launched a search operation. However, due to poor visibility in the darkness, no recovery could be made at that time.
The following morning, officials located a brown-colored ‘Mini 255′ drone in the vicinity of the security tower.
A sealed packet had been taped to the device. Upon inspection, authorities recovered two packets of tobacco, four packets of cigarettes and rolling paper.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora, on Friday, said that all recovered items were seized. Police at Kotwali police station, Kapurthala, have registered an FIR under relevant sections, said reports.
SSP Toora said that the drone was sent for forensic examination to determine its origin and trace its operational control.
The supply of prohibited items inside a high-security jail through drones is not just a shocking development, it is an extremely dangerous and unprecedented breach of security.
The incident at Kapurthala Jail raises serious questions about the effectiveness of prison administration and the overall internal security system.
When a high-security facility, designed to hold dangerous criminals under strict surveillance, can be penetrated from the air, it signals a deep and troubling failure.
Escalating Security Threat Inside Prisons
If cigarettes and tobacco can be delivered to inmates through drones, it is unrealistic and irresponsible to dismiss the possibility that drugs, mobile phones, weapons, or tools used for extortion could be supplied in the same manner. Technology is advancing rapidly, and criminal networks are often quick to exploit loopholes.
A prison that cannot prevent airborne deliveries risks becoming vulnerable to far more serious threats than the incident currently suggests. High-security prisons are meant to isolate hardened criminals from society and prevent them from influencing or operating criminal networks from behind bars.
Unfortunately, the reality in Punjab appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Instead of functioning as reformative institutions, jails are increasingly being perceived as operational hubs where gangsters continue to coordinate activities and extend their reach beyond prison walls. This trend not only undermines the justice system but also erodes public confidence in law enforcement.
Administrative Failure and Urgent Questions
The situation reflects poorly on the state’s law-and-order machinery. Despite repeated assurances and public statements about strict action against crime, the ground reality suggests growing gang violence, an active drug network, compromised jail security, declining police morale, and emboldened criminals. When such breaches occur in high-security facilities, they reinforce the perception that systems meant to protect citizens are not functioning as intended.
The use of drones to bypass prison security points either to serious administrative incompetence or to the possibility of collusion within the system. Both scenarios are deeply concerning. A lapse of this magnitude cannot be treated as an isolated incident. It demands a thorough investigation, accountability for those responsible, and immediate corrective measures to prevent recurrence. The government must address several critical questions.
Who is behind these drone deliveries? How many times has such a breach occurred before? What disciplinary or legal action has been taken against officials responsible for the lapse? Why, despite earlier warnings about drone-based smuggling in border states, were effective countermeasures not fully implemented?
A Crucial Moment for Governance and Public Trust
Punjab stands at an important crossroads, if firm and transparent action is not taken now, prisons risk evolving into centers of organized crime rather than institutions of correction and control.
Public safety cannot be compromised due to administrative failure or political complacency. Citizens expect security, accountability, and efficient governance.
They deserve concrete action rather than statements, press conferences, and mutual accusations. This incident should serve as a serious wake-up call.
The credibility of the law enforcement system and the safety of ordinary citizens depend on how decisively and responsibly the government responds.
Similar Incidents at the Central Jail
According to the Tribute, in two other similar incidents, the police recovered three mobile phones from the Central Jail, Kapurthala, and narcotic pills from a woman during patrolling.