'UFOs' spotted around Delhi airport; air force on high alert

'UFO' sightings in India's capital, New Delhi?

Apparently, security agencies guarding the capital's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport are on high alert after suspicious flying objects were spotted around the airport.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the Air Traffic Controller, on Monday, noticed flying objects thrice, around the airport. Indian Air Force dispatched a chopper to investigate the flying object, sources said. But the helicopter could not find anything.

On Tuesday too, the ATC had apparently noticed a flying object over the runway, but had no visual evidence to back its claim.

An airline pilot, flying from Bhubaneswar had also complained of being distracted by a laser beam while landing at IGI's runway on Wednesday night.

HT reported the pilot claimed that he was 6 nautical miles away from runway when he observed the laser beam, which distracted him.

It is noteworthy that the Delhi Police have prohibited the use of laser beams by any individual or group or organizers in areas around the airport under Section 144 of CrPC.

On Friday, the flying objects were first noticed by an air force officer, said an airport official.

Sources said that a meeting of Intelligence Bureau, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bureau for Civil Aviation Security and Delhi Police had been conducted and the Indian Air Force (IAF) had been asked to keep a strict watch on aerial threats.

Citing sources, Hindustan Time reported that the IAF has been authorised to shoot down any suspicious objects if need be.

"No one is sure as to what is happening. But we have put everyone on alert as we do not want to take any risks, especially with the VIP movements due to the India-Africa Forum Summit," the official added.

This story originally appeared on Hindustan times.