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News18
3 days ago
- News18
Taj Mahal Fortified: Drone, AI-Proof Shield Adds New Security Layer To India's Most Visited Monument
Last Updated: Security agencies have deployed advanced anti-drone technology to guard the 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site against emerging aerial threats An AI-proof, drone-neutralising security layer has now been added to shield the Taj Mahal – India's most visited monument. Security agencies have deployed advanced anti-drone technology to guard the Taj Mahal, which is a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site, against emerging aerial threats. The installation of this advanced security system, boasting an 8-km detection range, forms part of stringent measures implemented particularly in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The state-of-the-art technology is capable of detecting, disabling, and neutralising hostile UAVs within seconds; thus, ensuring enhanced protection for the architectural marvel. ADVANCED ANTI-DRONE SYSTEM INSTALLED The newly installed anti-drone system at the Taj Mahal has an operational range of 8 km and is capable of tracking, detecting, and neutralising drones within a 500-metre radius of the monument. Developed in response to increasing security threats, including drone-based incursions and the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in disinformation campaigns, this system represents a significant technological leap in the protection of heritage sites in India. Authorities successfully conducted a mock drill at the Dussehra Ghat near Yamuna river, where the anti-drone system detected and disabled an incoming UAV within seconds. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Taj security) Sayed Areeb Ahmad said the system not only detects drones from all directions but also identifies the launch location of the device. 'This ensures not just interception but also accountability. Any drone entering the no-fly zone will immediately trigger enforcement and legal action against its operator," he said. The urgency was felt after Operation Sindoor – the Indian Air Force strikes that destroyed terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) – heightened fears of retaliation. FAKE FIRE VIDEO SPARKS ALERT Just days later, a fake video circulated on social media showing the Taj Mahal engulfed in flames, misleading the public and raising concerns among authorities about the weaponisation of AI-generated content. The alarming clip, shared via Instagram with the caption – 'Taj Mahal on Fire: Pakistan Attacks' – was quickly flagged by the Agra police cyber unit. The video was confirmed to be AI-generated, and a case was filed against the individual responsible. 'There is zero tolerance for such misinformation. It not only spreads panic but also undermines national security," DCP Sonam Kumar said. HISTORIC SECURITY MEASURES The threat to the Taj Mahal is not new. During the 1942 World War II era, the monument was camouflaged using bamboo scaffolding and green fabric due to fears of Japanese aerial attacks. Similar precautions were taken during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan wars, with local residents recalling how the entire structure, including its dome and minarets, was carefully covered to avoid detection from enemy planes. The memories from those days still linger in Agra. Local residents remember the night-time blackouts and the spirit of civilian defence that prevailed. Now, in a vastly different era, instead of nets and covers, it is algorithms, radars, and jamming technology that protect the Taj. The anti-drone system – capable of performing 'soft kills' by jamming drone signals – is designed to neutralise threats without physical collision. It includes radar for detection, GPS jammers for neutralisation, and command-control modules that allow human operators to assess and act in real time. JOINT VIGILANCE AND TRAINING Security personnel have undergone a week-long training programme to operate the equipment efficiently. The system is jointly monitored by the Agra Police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who are responsible for securing both the monument and its vicinity. Flying drones near the Taj remains strictly prohibited under the 'no-drone zone' directive, and violators will face strict penal action. Officials are also planning the deployment of a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) response team to handle unconventional threats. 'If ever there's a chemical or radiation-based emergency, the CBRN team will ensure rapid evacuation and secure disposal of hazardous material," ACP Sayed Areeb Ahmad added. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Artifical intelligence Drones Taj Mahal Location : Agra, India, India First Published: June 02, 2025, 07:00 IST
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Anti-drone system at Taj Mahal to counter aerial threats
AGRA: An anti-drone technology system was installed at the Taj Mahal in Agra on Friday to counter potential aerial threats in and around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Police said the system has a range of eight kilometres and will 'soft kill' any threat once it comes within 500 metres of the main dome of the historic monument. The move comes after India carried out military strikes under Operation Sindoor on nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 people were killed. ACP (Taj Security) Sayed Areeb Ahmad said that the anti-drone system, provided by the security headquarters, successfully detected and neutralised drones during the trial run. According to Ahmad, the system has a range of about eight kilometres and can identify drones flying from any direction within this range. "It not only tracks the drone's current location but also pinpoints where it is being operated from. Drones coming within 500 metres of the monument are automatically neutralised," Ahmad said. "If any drone enters the no-fly zone around the Taj Mahal, the system will detect it immediately. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo A response team will then trace the operator's location, conduct a raid, and take legal action as per the rules," he added. Before the installation of the technology, security teams deployed to protect the Taj Mahal also underwent a week-long training to handle and operate the system, said the ACP Ahmad, adding, "Agra Police and CISF are involved in protecting the Taj Mahal and its periphery, and flying of drones is prohibited within the 500-metre radius of the monument." When asked how the system works, police sources refrained from revealing many details, citing security concerns. However, they said that the anti-drone system automatically jams the signal of any drone approaching the area, rendering it inoperable through a method known as a 'soft kill'. A police team will then trace the origin point of the drone and secure the location from where it was launched. Agra Police will be responsible for operating and maintaining the system. However, the exact location of the radar and other components has not been disclosed.
