Three arrested for flying drone near Mamata's helicopter, all have Bihar connection

A security scare occurred during the election campaign of Mamata Banerjee in Malda after a mysterious drone was spotted flying close to her helicopter. The incident took place on Saturday in Malatipur after the Chief Minister finished addressing a rally and was preparing to leave for Gazole. Authorities later detained three individuals in connection with the drone’s operation.

According to reports, the drone appeared in the airspace near the helicopter while Banerjee was boarding the aircraft. The Chief Minister reportedly noticed the drone and looked toward the sky, raising concern about the potential danger. Officials warned that if the drone had collided with the helicopter, it could have led to a serious accident. Police quickly launched an inquiry and detained three people suspected of operating the drone. Initial questioning revealed that the individuals claimed they were filming visuals of the Chief Minister boarding the helicopter. However, investigators noted that operating a drone near the airport zone without prior permission is a serious violation of aviation safety rules.

Security agencies are now examining the circumstances under which the drone entered the restricted airspace. Officials are also checking whether the required clearance from aviation authorities had been obtained. The incident has raised concerns over airspace security during high-profile political campaigns amid the ongoing assembly election atmosphere in West Bengal.