Suspicious Drones Sighted Over Amritsar Airport, Flight Operations Suspended for 85 Minutes

Flight operations at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar were temporarily suspended for around 85 minutes after suspicious drones were spotted over different parts of the airfield late at night.

Airport Director Anirudh Kumar Sharma said operations were halted from approximately 9:50 pm to 11:15 pm as a precautionary security measure after drones were reportedly observed over the airport area.

According to officials, the suspected drones or drone-like objects were seen approaching the airport from the direction of Rajala/Rudala village. The objects reportedly remained airborne for some time over the runway and other sensitive areas, prompting authorities to immediately suspend the movement of aircraft.

After monitoring the situation and carrying out necessary security checks, airport operations were restored once the situation was assessed to be normal.

Officials have not yet established the exact origin of the drones or determined from where they were launched. Investigations are underway to identify their source, flight path and purpose.

The incident has been taken seriously by security agencies because the Amritsar airport is located in a strategically sensitive area close to the India-Pakistan international border.

The villages from where the objects were reportedly seen approaching are located near the airport and the border region. The exact distance from the India-Pakistan border varies depending on the precise location, but the area is considered strategically sensitive because of its proximity to the Attari-Wagah border.

Security agencies are continuing to investigate the incident, while authorities are examining available information to determine whether the objects were drones and whether they posed any specific threat to the airport or aircraft operations.