Drone scare at Noida airport: NIA operation or local mischief? Cop says 'it's complex'

Jewar airport

• FIR filed after drones spotted near Noida International Airport
• Police: Drones may be from NIA or local private events
• FIR registered as a precaution due to security concerns

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An FIR has been registered after drones were spotted flying near the Noida International Airport in Jewar, raising security concerns as the area is a designated no-fly zone.

According to the complaint, the drones were seen late at night over the past two to three days within the airport’s boundary. The complaint was filed on February 15 by Krishna Kant Pandey, a security officer posted at the airport, with the Jewar police station, The Times of India reported.

Pandey stated that the drones appeared to enter the airport premises from the Ranera-Kureb village side through Jhajhar Road. After hovering in the area for some time, the drones allegedly returned along the same route. He noted that the airport has been declared a ‘red zone’ under central government rules, where flying drones without permission is strictly prohibited.

The complaint warned that unauthorised drone activity could pose a serious threat to airport security and requested police to trace those involved and take legal action.

Based on this, police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including disobedience of official orders, negligent conduct involving machinery, and acts that could endanger human life or safety.

However, a senior police official later said that initial investigations suggested the situation may have been misunderstood.

He said initial inputs suggested a misunderstanding, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had been operating drones as part of its official activities, without intimating the CISF deployed at the airport.

The official also said that in some cases, villagers use drones during weddings or private events near the airport boundary.

"There have been occasions when local villagers flying drones during weddings or private functions inadvertently appear to be operating close to the airport boundary," the official was quoted by TOI as saying. He added that from a distance, such drones can seem to breach restricted airspace. Citing overlapping factors, the FIR was registered as a precautionary measure, the officer said.