Amritsar . Three suspicious drone activities have been reported late on Sunday night near the Rajsansi area of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab. Due to this, three flights coming to Amritsar had to be diverted. After review of security arrangements and necessary checks, airport operations were normalised.
According to the information, at around 9:30 pm on Sunday night, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at the airport saw two to three unidentified objects flying at high altitude. When the movement of these objects seemed suspicious, the soldiers immediately informed the control room. After this, precautionary measures were taken in view of security and air traffic was temporarily affected. After receiving information about suspicious drone activity, three flights coming to Amritsar were diverted to other airports at around 9:32 pm. These included flights of Air India, Indigo and Malaysia Airlines.
According to the information, Air India flight AI-855 coming from Delhi to Amritsar was sent back to Delhi. At the same time, the route of Indigo flight 6E-5028 coming from Mumbai to Amritsar was changed and sent to Chandigarh. Malaysia Airlines flight MH-118 coming from Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar was diverted towards Delhi. Chandigarh airport manager confirmed the diversion of IndiGo flight 6E-5028. The plane reached Chandigarh at around 10:30 pm and left for Amritsar at 11:25 pm.
Security arrangements at the airport were reviewed after information about suspicious activity. The nature of drone-like objects and the circumstances related to their activities are being investigated by the authorities. Earlier in August also, information about drone activity was received around Amritsar Airport. Some flights were affected at that time also. After Sunday’s incident, vigilance was once again increased regarding airport security and air traffic.