A suspected drone sighting near Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar late Sunday night triggered a security alert and forced 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 had been spotted in the vicinity of the airport. Following the alert, two incoming flights were diverted to Chandigarh and five to Delhi.
Airport operations were suspended between 9.50pm and 11.15pm, Sharma said.
According to sources, the suspected flying objects were spotted outside the airport’s perimeter wall. Air Traffic Control (ATC) subsequently suspended landing operations over concerns about the safety of aircraft operating in the area.
Police suspect that the objects may have been drones operated locally, sources said.
The incident has raised particular concern because Amritsar’s international airport is located close to the India-Pakistan border. Security agencies were alerted immediately, while the matter was also reported to the police for investigation.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for airport security, has also stepped up vigilance following the incident, sources said.
The exact nature and origin of the flying objects have yet to be established. Investigators are examining whether locally operated drones may have entered the restricted airspace around the airport.
At the same time, security agencies are also examining a possible cross-border connection. Punjab has witnessed several instances in which drones have allegedly been used to smuggle narcotics, arms and ammunition across the Pakistan border.
Sharma said the incident had been reported to the police, who are investigating whether the suspicious objects were indeed drones and attempting to determine where they originated.
No confirmation has yet been given on the identity or source of the objects spotted near the airport.
