Agartala: April 07: Tensions flared once again along the India-Bangladesh border following the discovery of a suspicious drone near Ballamukha in Belonia subdivision, South Tripura district. The drone was found just 300 meters from the international barbed-wire fence, raising serious concerns about a potential national security breach.
The incident occurred early Monday morning when local villagers spotted the unmanned aerial vehicle in a paddy field on the Indian side of the border. The sighting quickly sparked panic among the residents, who, unfamiliar with such technology, feared it could pose a danger. One villager, speaking anonymously, explained, “We have never seen anything like this before. It looked like a drone, and we were scared it might be dangerous. So we immediately informed the police.”
The Tripura Police responded promptly, arriving at the scene within minutes to secure the area and retrieve the drone. The device has since been sent for forensic analysis to determine its origin and purpose.
A senior police official confirmed the recovery, stating that while the exact origin of the drone remains unknown, preliminary findings suggest it may have crossed into Indian territory from Bangladesh. Authorities have launched an investigation to explore the drone’s potential involvement in cross-border smuggling or espionage activities.
“We are considering all possible angles, including surveillance and illicit activities,” the official said, noting that the drone is being thoroughly analyzed for any data or attachments that could provide further clues.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has been alerted and is working closely with local police to track the drone’s flight path and verify whether it violated Indian airspace. This incident highlights the escalating concerns over the use of drones for cross-border operations, adding to the already sensitive tensions along the India-Bangladesh border.