FIR filed after drone sighting disrupts airport operations in Amritsar

An FIR has been registered in connection with an incident in which unidentified drones were spotted over the operational area of the city airport on the night of February 5, leading to the temporary suspension of flight operations and the diversion of two incoming flights.

According to official sources, a message was received from the Central Industrial Security Force at around 8.39 pm regarding the movement of four unidentified objects or drones over the DVOR area of the airport. The sighting was also confirmed by the Indian Air Force station at Rajasansi.

Officials said the information was immediately shared with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and the CISF control room. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting was convened shortly thereafter to assess the situation. As a precautionary measure, all flight operations at the airport were suspended during this period to ensure passenger safety.

Owing to the temporary closure, two arriving flights were diverted. IndiGo flight 6E1428 from Sharjah to Amritsar was diverted to Chandigarh, while Malaysia Airlines flight MH118 from Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar was rerouted to New Delhi.

Later, IAF authorities confirmed that no drone activity was present in the operational area. Following this confirmation, the JAC announced the resumption of flight operations and normal services resumed soon after.

In view of the incident, airport authorities lodged a formal complaint with the Rajasansi police station, and an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam. The police have launched an investigation in areas surrounding the airport to identify those responsible for operating the drones.

Officials stated that such incidents pose a serious threat to aviation safety and airport security. Security agencies have since intensified surveillance around the airport to prevent any recurrence.