In the wake of heightened national security concerns following Operation Sindoor, authorities in Pune have imposed a temporary ban on drones and aerial devices across both urban and rural areas of the district. The move comes as part of preventive security measures to deter possible threats from anti-national elements.
30-Day Citywide Ban
Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Sharma issued a prohibitory order on Wednesday under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, banning drones, paragliders, and similar aerial equipment within Pune city limits for 30 days, until June 12.
Only police surveillance drones—authorized in writing—will be exempt from this order. The intent is to safeguard sensitive installations, religious sites, and VVIP zones.
Existing Rural Ban Likely to be Extended
A similar ban had already been imposed in rural Pune from March 17 to May 20, with district officials now planning to extend it for another two months. Areas like Daund, Baramati, and Shirur had seen numerous complaints about unauthorized night drone activity, prompting stricter enforcement.
Security Risks and Past Violations
Authorities highlighted the growing misuse of drones by terrorist groups for surveillance of critical infrastructure such as dams and military bases, and by sand smugglers to evade law enforcement.
Examples of drone misuse include:
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Sept 2023: Three tourists were booked for flying a drone near Lonavala’s Air Force Station.
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2021: A youth was penalized for flying a drone near INS Shivaji, a naval training base.
New Anti-Drone Measures
In response, Pune Rural Police have:
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Acquired anti-drone technology
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Formed a special task force under the Superintendent of Police
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Trained officers in drone detection and control operations
Tighter Permissions Across the Board
The Pune district collectorate has mandated police approvals for all commercial or event-related drone activities. In city areas, drone operations require clearance from the Special Branch. In rural zones, permissions fall under the Pune Rural Police’s jurisdiction.
Pune SP Pankaj Deshmukh confirmed that the city’s drone ban would soon be enforced in rural areas as well, stating:
“The orders will be issued accordingly.”
“This step is necessary from a security standpoint, as several central institutions and sensitive locations are situated across different parts of the district,”
— Senior District Official, quoted in TOI
