Security has been significantly tightened at a critical defence manufacturing facility in Nagpur following the detection of an unidentified drone conducting aerial surveillance over the premises. The incident, which occurred on the evening of December 9, has triggered major safety and national security concerns due to the sensitive nature of the site's operations.
Timeline of the Security Breach
According to official reports, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was detected over the Solar Group facility located at Bazargaon on the Amravati highway. The drone activity was recorded between 7:15 pm and 7:30 pm. Alert security personnel at the plant immediately notified the Kondhali police station upon spotting the intrusion.
Police officials stated that the drone's flight path originated from Malkapur village. It flew over the facility's runway area, approached the main gate, and then moved in the direction of Sawanga village before vanishing from radar. This precise movement over key areas of the installation raised immediate red flags.
Swift Police Response and Investigation
The Kondhali police swiftly escalated the matter to senior officials, intelligence agencies, and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Recognizing the grave potential risks of such unauthorized activity over a high-security defence installation, authorities launched extensive search and combing operations across Malkapur, Sawanga, and Shiva villages for the following week.
Investigators explored all possibilities, including whether the drone was deployed for a private event like a wedding. However, no evidence was found to support this theory. The operator of the drone remains unidentified.
Given the serious implications, senior police officers directed the filing of a formal case. Charges have been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 329(3) for criminal trespass and Section 289 for negligent conduct endangering human life.
High-Stakes Facility and Past Safety Record
The incident has cast a renewed spotlight on the security and safety protocols at the Solar Group plant, a strategic defence-sector manufacturer involved in producing explosives. The company is a major supplier to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, providing critical systems like Pinaka rockets, Nagastra drones, and hand grenades, and also engages in exports.
The facility has a history of serious industrial accidents, underscoring its high-risk environment:
- On December 17, 2023, nine workers were killed in an explosion at the cast booster building during packing operations.
- On September 4, 2024, another explosion in the RDX crystallisation unit resulted in one death and injuries to 15 workers.
These past events highlight the critical importance of stringent safety and robust security measures at installations handling hazardous materials.
Authorities continue to probe the drone incident, treating it as a serious matter of both public safety and national security. Security around the Solar Group facility has been intensified to prevent any recurrence, as the search for the drone operator continues.
