A drone was spotted flying over the restricted airspace of the Jagannath Temple in Puri early on the morning of January 5, raising serious security concerns. Around 4:10 am, the drone reportedly approached the temple from Dolamandap Sahi, initially circling the premises before moving along the Meghanada Pacheri, the temple’s outer boundary wall.
The unauthorised drone was seen hovering over the temple’s Dadhinauti and circling above the Neelachakra. It was also observed passing over the northern gate area before ascending from Sridanda and returning to the location from which it initially emerged.
As of the latest reports, authorities have yet to identify the individual responsible for operating the drone or ascertain how it breached the restricted airspace around the temple. No official comments have been provided on the matter thus far.
“The Puri Police Department is actively investigating leads to trace the drone operator. Appropriate legal action will be taken shortly,” said a senior police official.
This incident occurred at a time when tourist destinations like Puri, along with other parts of Odisha, are under heightened security in preparation for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, scheduled from January 8 to 10 in Bhubaneswar.
It is worth noting that a similar incident occurred two years ago when a YouTuber from West Bengal flew a drone over the Jagannath Temple and later apologised. The act of flying a drone over the temple and capturing such videos raised serious questions about security. In the 5-minute, 42-second video, the entire Jagannath Temple premises were vividly displayed from aerial perspectives, showcasing every angle in detail. This incident prompted concerns regarding the effectiveness of temple police and security personnel.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that any disruption to the temple’s security would not be
tolerated. He emphasised that flying a drone over the Jagannath Temple violates security protocols and such actions will not be allowed. He further asserted that stringent legal measures would be enforced to ensure accountability and prevent future breaches.
To ensure a safe and seamless experience for visiting tourists, a dedicated tactical unit of special forces has recently arrived in Bhubaneswar. Equipped with advanced gear and defences, the unit will oversee security at strategic locations and key tourist sites.
Meanwhile, security across the state has been further tightened following a threat from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to disrupt the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
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