Foreign national flying drone near Parliament creates a scare

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) created a scare in one of Delhi’s most secured areas on Saturday evening.

Police sources said a foreign national, believed to be associated with an embassy, was seen navigating a drone around 6:30 pm near the north fountain of Parliament house.

According to sources, before the police could reach the man for questioning, he returned to the embassy along with his drone.

“As per local information, he (foreign national) was seen with a child and was flying the drone relatively low. Suspecting something devious, some tourists confronted him but he went away,” a police official said.

The official said the man then managed to reach his embassy. “Senior police officials were in talks with the embassy to retrieve the drone and to question the man. Attempts were being made to gather information through various CCTVs installed near India Gate,” a senior official said.

“We received information that a foreign national was flying a drone near Parliament and so other agencies were informed and are investigating the matter,” said Jatin Narwal, DCP, New Delhi.

Parliament had experienced a terror attack in December 2001 when a group of five men breached the heavy security. Security had been tightened since the attack.

Delhi has been on a high alert after intelligence agencies issued a notice of a possible terror attack on the national capital in the ongoing festive season.