Security agencies are preparing a policy to handle unauthorised Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other low-flying objects in sensitive areas like the airports. The draft policy, expected to be approved soon, empowers NSG and CISF to shoot down these "rogue" low flying objects like drones, UAVs and gliders found in sensitive locations. The security agencies are also seeking a provision for licensing of UAVs to prevent their illegal usage.
A draft policy on operating low-flying, pilotless objects will come up soon to deal with elements which could carry out terror attacks using drones, gliders, besides others, a Home Ministry official said. The issue was discussed threadbare at a recent meeting of the Union Home Secretary with representatives of the Indian Air Force, Civil Aviation Ministry, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other stakeholders.
"The draft drone policy is in the final stage. It is focused on regulating the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and similar low-flying objects. The policy should come out in public domain this month itself to solicit comments from stakeholders," the official said.
The National Security Guard (NSG) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are likely to be given powers to shoot down any "erring" low-flying object if they find as "rogue", the official said. The two forces will acquire defence mechanism like electromagnetic system, which would have inbuilt radar, radio frequency jammer and detector.
The major object of this policy is to ensure that there is no misuse of any kind of low-flying objects by terrorist groups or other anti-national elements. The decision was taken after noticing several UAVs in airports and border areas, hampering air traffic and raising security concern.
The policy also seeks licensing of the UAVs to spot out the illegal users. Currently, there is no policy on how to deal with a situation when a drone is sighted. There is nothing in the law to book a person if he or she involves in any mischief by operating a drone. When a law is finally enacted, it will define punishment, fine and also who can get licence to fly a drone.