In a major operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intercepted and foiled a bid to smuggle sophisticated drones in the country. DRI sleuths in Goa reportedly arrested five men in this connection who flew in from Sharjah. Be that as it may, just like arms and ammunition, use of drones too has pros and cons depending on the purpose for which it is deployed. Drones are certainly the most significant and life-saving technology to be used in anti-terror operations as they are equipped with electro-optic, infrared and high-resolution video cameras that can track both stationary and moving targets. They can provide 360-degree coverage and intelligent analysing capacity which helps to detect, locate and identify potential threats and track terrorists. However, on the flip side recently, the use of drones has also gained prominence among terror outfits for the delivery of arms, explosives, intelligence missions and targeted attacks. Drones can fly low, which helps them evade detection. Drones in the wrong hands can prove dangerous. Hence it is prudent to have ‘No Drone Zones’ in restricted areas like military-sensitive areas, areas around monuments of national importance, airports, large oil storage facilities, prisons, embassies and other places of national importance. Flying drones over private properties also need to be banned unless it is permitted by the land owner. Using drones with cameras in residential areas could be considered as snooping into the private life of the citizens and must be prohibited. If drones are to be used at special functions like marriages, then permission from the authorities concerned needs to be made mandatory.
