Security Scare Erupts at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport Over Drone Discovery
A significant security alert was activated at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airport on Thursday when the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel detected a drone lying in bushes adjacent to a critical watch tower. This incident has led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against an unidentified individual for blatantly violating prohibitory orders that strictly ban drone operations in this highly sensitive zone.
Immediate Response and Investigation Launched
The alarming discovery occurred in the vicinity of watch tower 7, which is situated within the airport premises—an area designated as a restricted no-drone zone. Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The airport area is extremely sensitive, and stringent prohibitory orders are actively enforced. The use of drones or laser beams in this zone is completely prohibited. In this instance, we are deploying all available resources to identify the owner of this drone. Any future violations will also result in severe legal consequences."
Commissioner Pawar had previously exercised special powers to impose a ban on drone flights and the utilization of laser beams and high-intensity lights in and around the airport, citing paramount security concerns.
Detailed Account of the Incident
The formal complaint was lodged by CISF Inspector Dhananjay Kumar Singh, who has been stationed at the airport for the past seven months. According to the FIR, Inspector Singh was performing his duties between 5:30 AM and 1:10 PM on Thursday when, at approximately 6:30 AM, a security guard posted at watch tower 7 notified him about a suspicious object concealed in nearby bushes.
Inspector Singh, accompanied by another CISF staff member, promptly proceeded to the location and uncovered a silver-colored "Power Folding Fuselage (Brushless)" drone lying on the ground. The matter was immediately escalated to the CISF control room, leading to the deployment of a specialized dog squad to thoroughly examine the device. A CISF official later confirmed, "The drone was found in a switched-off condition. It was subsequently seized and formally handed over to the MIDC Cidco police station for further investigation."
Legal Actions and Ongoing Probe
MIDC Cidco Inspector Somnath Jadhav disclosed that an FIR has been officially registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. Inspector Jadhav elaborated, "We are actively investigating this case and making concerted efforts to trace the individual who operated the drone. Technical analysis is also being conducted to gather crucial evidence. It is imperative to determine the underlying intention behind flying the drone in such a restricted and high-security area."
In addition to these measures, authorities are meticulously reviewing CCTV footage from adjacent areas to identify the suspect and ascertain the precise motive behind this act. The comprehensive investigation aims to prevent any potential security breaches and uphold the integrity of airport safety protocols.
