10 drones, 2 UFOs spotted at airport in 9 years

New Delhi: Ten drones and two “unidentified flying objects” (UFOs) were spotted at IGI airport and Dwarka area near IGI airport from January 2010 to January 2019, said the Delhi police. Meanwhile, CISF, the agency concerned with the airport security, seems to be clueless to deal with the menace of drones near the airports. The CISF is the first respondent in case of an unknown drone or UFO. Currently CISF is following temporary standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with the menace of UFO and drone near IGI airport.

As per the data provided by Delhi police, nine drones and two UFOs were spotted during the said period, while one drone was spotted at Dwarka sector-8 near the airport. Police have registered cases in these matters.

According to sources, CISF, equipped with the current technology, can neutralise any UFO or drone near the IGI airport from a distance of 500 metre to 1500 metre, if it poses the threat to airport security. Assessing the threat perception in the wake of Pulwama terror attack, Rajesh Ranjan, DG, CISF on March 7 said, standard operating procedure (SOP) is already in place to ensure the safety of airspace around the airport from any intrusive drone devices until the time alternative technology is brought in place.

“The technology which is to be deployed is being studied. Till then, alternative technologies are deployed. We have an SOP in place to ensure that the airspace around the airport remains protected from any intrusive drone devices,” said Mr Ranjan.

“We are operationally prepared for tackling any eventuality. Whenever we get any input from sister agencies about any vulnerability or any particular threat perception we immediately take measures to ensure that those threat perception inputs are addressed well and in time,” he added.

“We do a constant assessment of the SOPs in place to ensure that we are ahead of the anti-social and anti-national elements,” he said. Mr Ranjan also said that CISF works in close coordination and synergy with other paramilitary forces and Army to ensure the security of its units.