FIR Registered Over Drones Spotted Near Noida International Airport
An FIR has been officially registered following the sighting of drones flying in close proximity to the Noida International Airport, an area designated as a strict no-fly zone. This incident has triggered significant security concerns among authorities and local law enforcement agencies.
Complaint Details and Security Breach
In a formal complaint lodged on February 15 with the Jewar police, Krishna Kant Pandey, a security officer stationed at the airport, reported that drones had been observed flying late at night within the airport boundary over the past two to three days. According to the complaint, these unauthorized aerial vehicles appeared to enter the premises from the Ranera-Kureb village side via Jhajhar Road and subsequently returned along the same route after a brief period.
The complaint emphasized that the airport area has been declared a ‘red zone’ under central government norms, where all drone activity is strictly prohibited. It highlighted that such unauthorized flights could pose a serious and imminent threat to airport security, urging the police to swiftly identify those responsible and initiate stringent legal action.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
Based on the detailed complaint, the police promptly registered an FIR under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 223: Disobedience to an order promulgated by a public servant.
- Section 289: Negligent conduct with respect to machinery.
- Section 125: Act endangering the life or personal safety of others.
However, a senior police official later provided additional context, indicating that the situation might be more complex than initially perceived. The officer revealed that preliminary inputs suggested a possible misunderstanding, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had been operating drones as part of its official activities. Notably, the NIA had not intimated the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed at the airport about these operations.
Overlapping Factors and Precautionary Measures
The senior police official further explained that there have been instances where local villagers flying drones during weddings or private functions inadvertently appeared to be operating close to the airport boundary. From a distance, such drones can mistakenly seem to breach the restricted airspace, adding to the confusion and security alerts.
Citing these overlapping factors, the FIR was registered primarily as a precautionary measure to ensure thorough investigation and maintain heightened security vigilance. The police are now actively working to verify the exact nature of the drone flights, distinguishing between official NIA operations and potential unauthorized activities by private individuals.
This incident underscores the critical importance of adhering to no-fly zone regulations around sensitive infrastructure like airports, where even minor breaches can escalate into major security threats. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for clear communication and coordination among all agencies involved in airport security protocols.
