Amritsar airport on high alert after suspected drones spotted near runway, 7 flights diverted
PTC Web Desk: Security has been stepped up at Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, Amritsar, after suspected drone-like objects were seen flying close to the airport's operational area late Sunday evening.
After the sighting of the suspected drones, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) temporarily stopped landing operations as a safety measure. Seven flights heading to Amritsar were diverted to Delhi and Chandigarh.
The incident was reported around 10 pm. Flying objects were seen near the runway and other restricted parts of the airport. As per preliminary information, they may have entered the area from the direction of Rudala village and stayed in the air for several minutes.
ATC suspends landings
Following the sighting, the ATC immediately alerted the authorities concerned and suspended landing operations. The decision was taken as a precaution to ensure that there was no threat to aircraft approaching or operating around the airport. Several domestic and international flights were affected during the disruption.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH-118, arriving from Kuala Lumpur, was diverted to Delhi. IndiGo flights 6E-5028 from Mumbai and 6E-2045 from Delhi were sent to Chandigarh.
Two Air India services, AI-479 and AI-855, which were flying from Delhi to Amritsar, were also turned back to Delhi.
IndiGo flight 6E-1428 from Sharjah and Air India Express flight IX-120, also coming from Sharjah, were diverted to Delhi.
Security agencies alerted
The suspected drone activity prompted an immediate security response at the airport. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Punjab Police and other central security agencies were informed about the incident.
Security teams began checking the area and monitoring the situation closely.
No confirmation on whether objects were drones
Officials had not immediately confirmed whether the objects spotted near the airport were drones, unmanned aerial vehicles or something else. Their exact source and how they reached the airport's operational zone were also not clear at the time.
The incident is being taken seriously because Amritsar is a border district and the airport's operational area falls within a sensitive security zone.
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Further details are expected once security agencies complete their assessment of the incident.
- PTC NEWS
