Misuse of drones has Punjab security agencies on toes

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 19

The easy availability of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones has become a headache for security agencies in the border state. The misuse of drones by smugglers at the international border to fetch drug consignments has emerged as a major security threat.

While security agencies are looking for devising ways to counter the threat, police officials said there were a number of regulations regarding the operation of drones, but these were hardly being followed.

The rural police recently busted a drug cartel involving a soldier who was sneaking in drug consignments with the help of drones. The first incident was reported in October last year when the Punjab Police nabbed several radicals who got sophisticated weapons from their handlers in Pakistan through drones.

There are a number of e-commerce companies selling drones. The soldier who was arrested by the rural police had also procured the same from an online company. The Gharinda police have nabbed a person identified as Rishabh of Delhi who used to work with a private company that sold drones. Police sources said he failed to give satisfactory answers to police queries. He also failed to show any authorisation to the police for selling the drones.

A police official said there were a certain guidelines issued by the Minister of Civil Aviation that are to be followed before procuring and operating drones. However, these are ignored by users and even the authorities concerned are turning a blind eye to it, he added.

Earlier on January 13, a massive search operation was launched by security agencies following the sighting of drones at Tendiwala village near border outpost Shameke. BSF jawans belonging to the 136 Battalion had opened fire at the flying objects to bring them down. Later, a joint search operation by the BSF and the Punjab Police was carried out, which continued till late this evening, but nothing substantial was found.

Following this incident, the Deputy Commissioner banned the operation of drones within 500 m of International Border and declared it a no-drone zone. No drone zones were also declared in Army areas near the airport and the Air Force station here.

A Border Security Force official said steps were being taken to curb such incidents. Vikram Jeet Duggal, SSP, Amritsar rural, said beyond doubt, the misuse of drones had thrown up a challenge, but we are also making efforts to counter the threats.

Dos and Don’ts

• As per guidelines, the operator is required to have a Unique Identification Number from the Director General of Civil Aviation for operating a drone in a controlled airspace. He is supposed to affix the same on the drone.
• It is also mandatory to obtain an unmanned aircraft operator permit for commercial operations and it is necessary to get permission before each flight through the Digital Sky platform.
• The local police are supposed to be informed about any drone flying activity by the residents concerned.
• The norms advise not to fly the drones over a group of people, public events or stadiums without permission.