Here Is Why You Won't Be Able To Fly Drones, Hot-Air Balloons In Delhi Until Independence Day

Taking into account the security threat they pose in the wake of the recent terror attack in Jammu where a drone was used to drop the explosives, the Delhi Police banned the flying of aerial vehicles such as paragliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft and hot-air balloons over the national capital till Independence Day. The order came into force from Friday.

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Order comes into force from July 16

According to a circular issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner Balaji Srivastava, the order shall come into force with effect from July 16, 2021, and shall remain in force for a period of 32 days up to August 16, 2021, (both days inclusive) unless withdrawn earlier.

An order issued by the Delhi police Commissioner Balaji Srivastava, stated, "It has been reported that certain criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small sized powered aircraft, quadcopters or even by para-jumping from aircraft etc."

BCCL

"Now, therefore, I, Balaji Srivastava, Commissioner of Police, Delhi in the exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 read with Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi's Notification No. U-11036/3/1978 (i) UTL dated 01.07.1978, do hereby prohibit flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, g-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircraft, hang remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small-sized powered aircrafts, quadcopters or para jumping from aircrafts etc. over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day Celebrations- 2021 in the National Capital of Delhi."

Violators to be punished under Section 188 of IPC

Doing so shall be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, the order stated.

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Last week, following the attack on the Jammu airbase, Kupwara and Baramulla district administrations had imposed restrictions on the storage, sale, possession, use, and transport of drones and UAVs.

Drone attack

On June 27, two low-intensity explosions were reported in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station. The attack carried out possibly using the improvised explosive device (IED), could not cause much damage and caused minor injuries to two personnel on duty.

AP

Two drones were used to drop explosives on the Jammu airbase by the attackers who then navigated their quadcopters out of that area.

This was the first time terrorists have used drones to carry out attacks in India.