Police rule out suspicious activity; action being considered over drone operations in restricted zone

Amritsar, 07 September (H.S.): Drones spotted near Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on Sunday night were not linked to any suspicious activity, according to the police. An investigation revealed that a drone had been flown to record a sports tournament in a nearby village. However, its presence near the restricted airport zone triggered a security scare and affected the landing of seven flights.

At around 10 pm on Sunday, drone-like flying objects were observed in the airport’s operational area, prompting Air Traffic Control to issue a security alert. As a precaution, seven incoming flights were not permitted to land, and several aircraft had to be diverted. Given the airport’s proximity to the India-Pakistan international border, security agencies treated the incident seriously.

According to Rajansansi SHO Gurpreet Singh, duty officer ASI Niranjan Singh visited the area outside the airport to investigate the matter. The inquiry established that a person had flown a drone to record video footage of a sports tournament taking place in a nearby village.

The SHO said the district administration has prohibited drone operations within an approximately eight-kilometre radius of the airport. Police are investigating how the drone was flown despite the restriction and whether the required permission had been obtained. Appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the rules.

Following the incident, CISF, Punjab Police and other security agencies were alerted, and security around the airport was tightened. While the preliminary police investigation has ruled out a suspicious motive, the examination of possible violations of aviation safety regulations is continuing.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH