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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
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Ganja worth ₹3cr seized in Agra & Firozabad, 4 held
Agra: In a major crackdown on narcotic drugs, police on Sunday seized nearly 400 kg ganja in two separate operations in Agra and Firozabad, leading to arrests of four the first incident, a team of Agra police intercepted a truck on the service road of NH-19 (Agra–Delhi–Kolkata highway, formerly NH-2) under the jurisdiction of the Trans Yamuna Police Station, seizing 191.68 kg of ganja valued at approximately Rs 1.5 (city) DCP Sonam Kumar said, "Acting on a tip-off, three individuals were arrested — Monu Sharma (from Dholpur), Pramod Goswami (Agra) and Deepu Goswami (Morena) — and 191.68 kg cannabis were recovered from their truck along with three mobile phones, Rs 2,000 in cash, a SIM card and a container. "Preliminary interrogation revealed the contraband was being transported from Odisha for local distribution. "Efforts are underway to trace their criminal history, as they are suspected of involvement in similar activities. Further investigation is ongoing to identify others linked to this network," Kumar three accused have been booked under sections 8, 20, 29, and 60 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) a separate operation in Firozabad, police seized 178.62 kg of ganja from a truck and arrested one (city) Firozabad Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Based on intelligence inputs, a team from Rasulpur Police Station, in coordination with the surveillance team, set up a checkpoint and apprehended the accused, Dinesh Baghel (32). Eleven sacks of cannabis were found hidden in his truck."He added, "Initial questioning revealed that Baghel had procured the contraband at low prices from Siliguri, West Bengal and was selling it at higher rates in nearby districts. A case has been registered against him under sections 8, 20, 29, 37, and 60 of the NDPS Act at Rasulpur Police Station. Further investigations are ongoing to trace the broader supply network."
India Gazette
11-05-2025
- India Gazette
Agra: Major drug racket busted, ganja worth Rs 1.5 crore seized, three arrested
ANI 11 May 2025, 18:45 GMT+10 Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 11 (ANI): Agra Police arrested three individuals on Sunday, involved in the trafficking and sale of ganja (cannabis), seizing a massive 191.680 kilograms of the contraband, valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore. DCP City Sonam Kumar stated that the operation was carried out jointly by the teams from Thana Trans Yamuna and ACP Chatta, based on a tip-off from an informant. Acting swiftly, the police set up barricades and launched an intensive vehicle-checking drive in the area. The arrested suspects were reportedly bringing the ganja from Odisha and distributing it across various parts of Agra. Police are verifying the criminal history of the accused and mapping the areas where the drugs were being sold. More details will emerge as the investigation progresses. (ANI)
