Last Updated: October 3, 2026
Last Updated: October 3, 2026
Amritsar: Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar was placed on high alert late Sunday night after two to four suspicious flying objects, suspected to be drones, were spotted near the airport’s operational area and runway. The sighting triggered an alert from Air Traffic Control (ATC) and led to the diversion of seven incoming flights as a security precaution.
The suspicious objects were reportedly spotted around 10 pm after approaching the airport from the direction of Rajala village. They were seen hovering over or near the runway and other sensitive areas for several minutes, following which security agencies were alerted.
The incident has raised security concerns because Amritsar airport is located relatively close to the India-Pakistan international border. However, there is no official confirmation so far that the flying objects were Pakistani drones.
Amritsar airport drone alert: What happened near runway?
According to preliminary information, airport authorities noticed two to four suspicious objects in the operational area of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport.
The objects were described as suspected drones or flying objects resembling drones. Their presence near the runway prompted ATC to alert security agencies and led to precautionary measures at the airport.
Security personnel began monitoring the situation and checking the airport’s surroundings. The incident was being assessed to determine the nature and origin of the flying objects.
The sighting is significant because even an unidentified flying object near an airport runway can pose a serious risk to aircraft operations. Drones operating close to an airport can interfere with take-offs and landings and create potential safety and security concerns.
Seven flights diverted from Amritsar airport
As a precaution, seven incoming flights were diverted to Delhi and Chandigarh following the suspected drone sighting.
The affected flights included:
The diversions affected both domestic and international services, highlighting the immediate operational impact of the security alert.
For passengers travelling to or from Amritsar, the incident could result in delays, changes in arrival or departure arrangements and additional waiting time depending on the security assessment and subsequent flight operations.
Why Amritsar airport’s location is important
Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport is located at Raja Sansi, around 11 km northwest of Amritsar city centre. It serves as an important aviation gateway for Punjab and handles both domestic and international flights.
The airport’s proximity to the India-Pakistan international border makes reports of suspected aerial intrusions particularly sensitive.
Amritsar itself is located in Punjab’s border region, and security agencies have remained alert to possible drone activity in areas close to the international frontier.
However, the proximity of the airport to the border does not by itself establish any connection between the latest incident and Pakistan. Any such conclusion would require confirmation from the relevant security agencies.
Drone activity along India’s western border
The latest Amritsar airport alert comes against the backdrop of repeated reports of suspected drone movements along sensitive areas near India’s western borders.
Security forces have increased surveillance against unmanned aerial vehicles because drones can potentially be used for reconnaissance, smuggling or other activities. The threat has become an important security concern along border areas, particularly in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, suspected Pakistani drone movement was reported near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.
According to information available from the earlier incident, three suspected drones were detected near the Rumlidhara area of the Nowshera sector. Troops of the 22 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles detected the movement and counter-drone systems were activated. The suspected drones subsequently moved back across the border, following which a search operation was launched in the area.
The earlier incident underlines the heightened surveillance maintained by security forces against suspected aerial intrusions along sensitive border areas.
What happens next at Amritsar airport?
The immediate priority for authorities is to establish what the flying objects spotted near the airport were and whether they posed any continuing threat to aviation operations.
Security agencies are expected to examine available surveillance inputs and assess the area around the airport. Further information from airport authorities, security agencies or other officials will be important in determining whether the objects were confirmed drones and whether there was any deliberate attempt to enter restricted airspace.
For now, passengers should check directly with their respective airlines for the latest status of flights to and from Amritsar, particularly if their journey was affected by the diversions.
The incident also highlights the continuing importance of counter-drone surveillance around airports and other sensitive installations, especially in border states such as Punjab.
Important: At present, the objects spotted near Amritsar airport should be described as suspected drones or drone-like flying objects. They should not be identified as Pakistani drones unless authorities officially confirm their origin.
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