Representational file image. Photo: Special Arrangement
In a first, a drone has been recovered in a dense left-wing affected area in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, leading the police to suspect that the Maoists are using these flying devices for surveillance.
Confirming the development, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P. Sundarraj said the drone was recovered on Sunday in Sukma district’s Gundrajgudem jungle. “A police team had gone to the area after receiving information about the presence of Maoists. While they did not encounter any Naxal, they came across a dump [collection of articles used by Naxals] they had left behind and the drone was a part of it,” said Mr. Sundarraj.
He said that while arms, ammunition and daily use articles had been recovered in the past, too, this was the first time that a drone was recovered. “The discovery confirms our long-held suspicion that they would have attempted to use the drones for obtaining images of security camps or movement of forces,” said the IG.
The discovery comes at a time when forces have intensified their attacks on the Maoists, killing over 300 in just over a year since the BJP government assumed power in the State. Earlier, officers had told The Hindu that long-range, unmanned aerial vehicles had been crucial in precise targeting of Maoists in recent anti-Maoist operations.
3 km range
Mr. Sundarraj added that the recovered drone did not have any payload capacity and had a range to operate in a radius of 3 km. “It is primarily the kind of drone that is used for photography and videography in weddings and similar functions. This also means that it is not a prohibited item and relatively easier to procure,” said Mr. Sundarraj.
“From a security point of view, it is a sensitive issue but not alarming. They may have procured it but it is not easy to use. Because of its size, it can be easily detected and then there are network issues in the deep jungles. We have our counteraction ready to avoid being captured because from time to time, we have received inputs about Maoists using the same,” said Mr. Sundarraj.
Published – February 25, 2025 09:37 pm IST