Police traced the devices to filming at a nearby sports tournament and said no suspicious activity was identified.
AMRITSAR:
Seven flights were diverted to Delhi after multiple drone-like objects were detected near the operational area of Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport on Sunday night, officials said on Monday.
Airport operations were suspended for approximately 90 minutes after the objects were seen near the runway. Two international services and flights operated by Malaysia Airlines, IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express were among those diverted.
Punjab Police and central security agencies were alerted because unidentified drones close to an active runway present collision and security risks.
An investigation by Raja Sansi police subsequently traced the devices to the unauthorised filming of a sports tournament in a nearby village. Police said the activity was not linked to a suspicious security operation.
Flying drones within an eight-kilometre radius of the airport is prohibited without authorisation. Police said legal action would be initiated against those responsible for operating the device.
The incident caused substantial disruption despite the apparently non-hostile explanation. Investigators will need to establish how many devices entered the restricted area, identify every operator and examine whether airport detection and local enforcement procedures require strengthening.
