A recent security breach at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya sparked serious concerns after a drone flew over the premises on February 17 evening, triggering an immediate response from authorities. . The incident occurred near Gate No. 3 of the mandir, where a large crowd of devotees had gathered for darshan, as the popular site attracted visitors due to the ongoing Mahakumbh.
The drone, which appeared unexpectedly, created a moment of panic, especially among the security personnel and devotees exiting the mandir. According to Ashutosh Tiwari, the area officer, the drone was spotted at approximately 7 pm, and as soon as the flying object was identified, a swift response ensued. The anti-drone system, which has been installed as a safety measure at the mandir, quickly neutralized the threat by shooting the drone down before it could cause harm.
In a statement to the media, Tiwari explained that when the drone was detected, a wave of urgency spread among the security staff. “As soon as the wireless system alerted us, we immediately began to take action. Security agencies, including the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), rushed to the site. We took all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the devotees,” he stated.
The incident, which occurred amidst a heavy crowd of devotees, could have led to significant confusion and potential harm had the situation not been controlled. Security forces acted decisively and took possession of the drone for further investigation.
Following the incident, the Janmabhoomi police station filed a First Information Report (FIR) under the complaint of Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar. The report mentions that an unknown person had flown the drone deliberately in the restricted airspace near the mandir. In the FIR, it was also noted that this incident could have been catastrophic, potentially triggering a stampede among the devotees. Authorities highlighted that the drone was operating in an area where flying such objects is prohibited, especially due to the large number of people present due to the religious occasion.
Tiwari also reassured the public that the anti-drone system, which covers a range of 2.5 kilometers around the mandir, had successfully intercepted the drone and neutralized it. “Our anti-drone system has been functioning efficiently and was instrumental in preventing a potential crisis,” he added.
As part of their investigation, the police have narrowed down the suspect responsible for flying the drone to a YouTuber from Gurugram. Local authorities are currently working to track down the individual and bring them in for questioning. The investigation has uncovered that the individual may have been attempting to capture footage or create content related to the Ram mandir, although this remains speculative.
The police investigation is ongoing, and local residents have expressed concerns about the potential danger posed by drones in religious sites. “When the drone fell, there was a brief moment of panic, but thankfully, the situation was handled efficiently. We are relieved that nothing serious happened,” a local resident commented.
Given the heightened security concerns, police officials have indicated that they will intensify their monitoring of drone activity in the vicinity of the mandir. They also emphasized the importance of following the airspace restrictions to ensure the safety of all visitors and maintain the sanctity of the site.
Authorities are also exploring the connection between the drone operator, the use of drones by influencers, and whether there could be more to the story than simply filming content. They are investigating whether the individual had any malicious intent or whether this was a careless violation of rules.
