Drone sighting triggers security scare at Amritsar airport, operations halted for one hour and flights diverted

Amritsar (The Uttam Hindu): A major security lapse was reported at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, after suspicious drone activity was spotted near the airport premises. The incident caused panic among airport authorities and security agencies, prompting emergency measures and a complete suspension of airport operations for nearly one hour as a precautionary step.

Drone spotted around 9 pm, alert sounded

According to information received, the incident occurred on the night of 5 February at around 9 pm, when security personnel noticed a suspected drone flying near the airport airspace. Given the highly sensitive nature of the airport zone, the sighting was treated as a potential threat. The Air Traffic Control (ATC), in coordination with security agencies, immediately halted all aircraft movements to avoid any untoward incident. The runway remained non-operational for about an hour while intensive security checks were carried out.

Flights diverted, passengers affected

The security scare had a direct impact on flight operations and passengers. Due to the suspension of landings, a Sharjah–Amritsar flight was diverted to Chandigarh Airport for safety reasons. Similarly, a Malaysia Airlines flight was also prevented from landing in Amritsar and was redirected to an alternate airport. Passengers faced inconvenience during the disruption, and a tense situation prevailed at the airport.

Agencies search for drone operator

The Airport Authority and security agencies are jointly investigating the incident. Efforts are underway to identify who operated the drone and the purpose behind flying it in a restricted zone. Punjab Police and central agencies are actively trying to trace the drone operator and its launch location. Given Punjab’s status as a border state, security forces have been placed on high alert to prevent any future drone-related threats.