SIM spotters, deepfake busters, and mine-proof rides: India's security tools on display at Intl Police and Drone Expo 2025

Time of India

4 days ago

A passive surveillance tool designed to detect foreign SIM cards within a 50-metre radius was one of the standout technologies demonstrated on the first day of the
International Police and Drone Expo 2025
, held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, as reported by TOI.
The
Rapid Illegal Immigrants Detection System
is being positioned as a frontline solution to monitor unauthorised mobile activity, particularly in slum clusters and villages near the Bangladesh border. What makes it different is that it works without any help from telecom providers. It identifies devices by picking up IMEIs and IMSIs, both of which are unique digital signatures of mobile phones and their users.
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The technology has been pitched for use during cordon-and-search operations. Security agencies say it could become a key tool in tracking undocumented immigrants, especially Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals who have managed to slip through porous border areas.
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Real-time forensics and dark web tools
In a separate section of the expo, a forensic expert demonstrated an India-specific
open-source intelligence tool
. By simply entering the phone number of a deceased person, the system could create a detailed visual map of their digital footprint.
The tool pulled in UPI links, email IDs, social media profiles and even photos from public platforms, and also from the deep and dark web. Investigators say this could significantly cut the time spent on background checks during cases involving unidentified individuals or financial fraud.
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Deepgaze AI and the pushback against Deepfakes
With growing concerns over misinformation and digitally altered media, the expo also spotlighted Deepgaze AI. The system is built to flag manipulated content, from doctored videos and audio clips to edited images.
This technology is forensic in nature, scanning metadata and inconsistencies to help authorities determine whether a file is real or fake. As the threat of deepfakes grows, especially in communal or political contexts, tools like this are expected to become central to digital policing efforts.
Crime scene tech, data recovery and post-blast kits
The focus on practical fieldwork wasn't limited to surveillance. A range of
mobile forensic kits
and labs were on show, including data recovery tools for drones and digital sanitisation devices for sensitive equipment.
CCTV systems, forensic scanners and mobile labs were displayed with scenarios like traffic accidents, post-blast scenes, disaster zones and complex crime scenes in mind. Investigators and emergency units stressed the need for compact, rugged systems that can deliver quick results without needing to return to labs.
Pistols, armoured vehicles and night-ready weapons
Beyond the tech, the military hardware corner attracted steady attention. Officers and paramilitary personnel tested new pistols designed to fire accurately in the dark. There were also armoured vehicles engineered to withstand landmine blasts, part of India's broader plan to better equip forces posted in hostile zones.
As reported by TOI, Vaishali Mane, Superintendent of Police from Pune, tried out one of the handguns at a stall. "I was especially looking forward to seeing the weapons and new systems," she said. "We're here not just to browse, but to take stock, assess and provide as many suggestions as we can to ensure our own units stay updated with the best available options."
On-ground impressions: Useful, but not yet plug-and-play
Across the expo halls, officers expressed cautious optimism. The tools clearly show intent, but many said field testing and deployment logistics remain a concern.
"New technology is growing in all aspects: weapons, vehicles, gear. Some of these technologies we have heard of, but we are seeing them up-close for the first time here," Bhopinder Singh, a CRPF personnel at the event told TOI.
Still, no one seemed under the illusion that this equipment could be dropped into duty overnight. As CISF Sub-Inspector Ramashish Rana put it, "These tools show promise, but field readiness will take time."
Faster response times still a central goal
Some of the most grounded conversations at the expo centred around mobility and speed. With new quick response vehicles and mobile systems designed for coordination, forces are clearly focusing on how to respond faster to evolving threats.
Delhi Traffic Police Inspector Devi Lal summed it up when he said the new systems were "a step toward modernising policing".
There was also quiet attention paid to behind-the-scenes tools that rarely get headlines — like mobile databases for managing healthcare and logistics in emergency zones.
The Expo wasn't just about showcasing gadgets. It was about inviting feedback from people who work in the field, who understand what will hold up under pressure and what won't.
Some tools are already usable. Others are still more prototype than solution. But the message was clear: the future of policing and internal defence in India will depend not just on innovation, but on the ability to adapt that innovation to ground realities.