Suspected drones near Amritsar airport trigger flight diversions, security alert

AMRITSAR: Suspected drone-like objects were reportedly spotted near Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport late on Sunday night, triggering a major security alert and leading to the diversion of seven incoming flights as a precautionary measure.Anirudh Sharma, who holds the additional charge of Airport Director, confirmed that drone-like objects were noticed in the vicinity of the airport. Following the alert, two incoming flights were diverted to Chandigarh and five to Delhi. Airport operations remained suspended from 9.50 pm to 11.15 pm, he said.Sources said the suspected flying objects were seen outside the airport's perimeter wall, following which Air Traffic Control (ATC) suspended landing operations due to concerns over the safety of aircraft operating in the area.Sources said the police suspect that the drones were flown locally.The incident is being viewed seriously, particularly because the international airport is located close to the India-Pakistan border.