Politics · India Bureau
Suspected drone activity forces Amritsar airport to divert seven flights
Shri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar suspended flight operations for over 90 minutes Sunday night after detecting multiple suspected drones near the runway. Seven flights, including two international services, were diverted to alternate airports.
LSN India ·
Security authorities at Amritsar's international airport diverted seven flights on Sunday evening following the detection of suspected drone movements in the airport's operational vicinity. The incident, which unfolded around 10 pm, triggered an immediate security lockdown with Punjab Police and central agencies mobilizing rapid response.
Airport Director Anirudh Kumar confirmed that multiple drone-like objects were detected hovering near the runway area, prompting the precautionary suspension of all flight operations. The airport remained closed to traffic for approximately one hour and 30 minutes while security personnel assessed the situation.
Flights operated by Malaysia Airlines, IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express were among those affected by the diversions. While officials did not specify the exact number of passengers impacted, the incident marks another instance of drone-related security concerns at Indian airports.
The detection comes amid heightened vigilance at Indian airports following previous drone incidents. Authorities have intensified monitoring protocols at major airfields across the country to counter potential security threats posed by unmanned aerial vehicles.