Govt forms committee under BPRD to tackle 'lethal' drones

A special committee comprising various government departments and ministries has been created by the Centre to prepare a blueprint for countering "lethal attacks" by drones or similar aerial platforms, a senior official said on Wednesday.

BPRD Director General (DG) V S K Kaumudi said the committee will study and analyse all available technology that can be used to disorient or neutralise an aerial platform like an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that may target an installation or an event.

The committee has various stakeholders like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation Ministry, Home Ministry, the Indian Air Force, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, airport guarding force CISF and others.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) is the coordinator, Kaumudi said.

"We are discussing available techniques and protocols to thwart attacks by lethal drones and UAVs and it is expected that we would be able to submit a report to the Union home ministry in a month's time," the DG said.

The committee will suggest ways and means to disorient or neutralise a drone that is dangerous for the security of a vital installation or any important event, he said.

The BPRD, under the home ministry, is tasked with preparing and suggesting better working policies and technology solutions for the police forces and act as a national think tank on policing.