Suspected Drones Spotted Near Amritsar Airport, Flights Diverted

AMRITSAR: Suspected drone-like objects were reportedly spotted near Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport late on Sunday night, triggering a major security alert and leading to the diversion of seven incoming flights as a precautionary measure.

Anirudh Sharma, who holds the additional charge of Airport Director, confirmed that drone-like objects were noticed in the vicinity of the airport. Following the alert, two incoming flights were diverted to Chandigarh and five to Delhi. Airport operations remained suspended from 9.50 pm to 11.15 pm, he said.

Sources said the suspected flying objects were seen outside the airport's perimeter wall, following which Air Traffic Control (ATC) suspended landing operations due to concerns over the safety of aircraft operating in the area.

Sources said the police suspect that the drones were flown locally. The incident is being viewed seriously, particularly because the international airport is located close to the India-Pakistan border. Security agencies were immediately alerted, while the matter was also reported to the police for investigation.

Sources said the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for airport security, has also heightened its vigilance following the incident.

While the exact nature and origin of the suspected objects are yet to be established, investigators are examining all possibilities. Sources did not rule out the possibility that locally operated drones may have entered the restricted airspace near the airport. However, given the increasing instances of drones allegedly being used from across the Pakistan border to smuggle narcotics, arms and ammunition into Punjab, security agencies are also examining whether there could be a cross-border angle, sources said.

Sharma said the matter had been reported to the police, who are now investigating the incident to determine whether the suspicious flying objects were actually drones or some other objects and where they were flown from.