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India - Amritsar Airport Suspended Operations After a Drone Sighting

Operations at Amritsar airport were suspended on Sunday night after drones were spotted over the airfield, Hindustan Times reported, citing officials. The Indian Air Force informed air traffic control of the activity, and the airport closed to flights at about 9:50 pm.

Seven aircraft already holding to land were diverted: five to Delhi and two to Chandigarh. Officials said the Delhi diversions were two Air India flights, two IndiGo flights, and one Air India Express flight. A committee set up under the drone-sighting procedure reviewed the situation around 11 pm, after no further drones were reported, and cleared the airport to resume operations at 11:15 pm. Five of the seven diverted flights later returned to Amritsar.

The Airports Authority of India filed a complaint the following morning, and Amritsar rural police began a search of the surrounding area. Police said a kabaddi tournament in a nearby village was also being examined. The published account did not identify who operated the drones.

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