INS Agrani warns not to fly drones within 3km radius of its premises

Coimbatore: INS Agrani, Coimbatore, on Tuesday issued a warning that drones should not be flown within 3km radius of the navy installation in the city.
Though there are rules already in force prohibiting the usage of drones near defence establishments, the warning has been issued in the wake of drone attacks on the Indian Air Force Station in Jammu on Sunday morning.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, INS Agrani said flying of non-conventional aerial objects (drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)) are prohibited within 3km of the establishment.
Any remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) such as drones/UAVs found violating this prohibition will be destroyed or confiscated without any liability and actions may be initiated under sections 121 (waging or attempting to wage a war or abetting waging of a war against the Government of India), 121A (conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 121), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of other) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code against the operator.
If drone flying is deemed necessary, the operator/agency should obtain approval from the Director of General Civil Aviation (DGCA) through the Digi Sky website and a copy of the approval letter to be submitted to INS Agrani at least one week before the scheduled flying operation.
According to sources, following the drone attack at IAF station in Jammu, all the defence installations across the country were alerted by the ministry of defence.
“Our entire premises are protected by armed guards round the clock. If anyone is operating the drones above the defence installations, the drones will be destroyed immediately, and stringent action will be taken against the drone operators,” said an official from the defence sector.
The Coimbatore district has Sulur Air Force Station, INS Agrani, Central Training College of CRPF, Kurudampalayam, and an international airport. Many youngsters in Coimbatore have been using drones to capture the sceneries and aerial view of the city. Wedding photographers and political parties also use drones to capture the crowds on aerial view.
However, most of the operators are not aware of the guidelines to operate drones.
To regularize the operation of RAPS or drones in Coimbatore district, collector GS Sameeran is planning to conduct a meeting with Coimbatore city police commissioner Deepak M Damor and police officials soon. The district administration will soon come out with do’s and don’ts while operating drones in the district.