The Taj Mahal is set to receive a significant security upgrade with the installation of an anti-drone system to counter potential aerial threats, a senior official confirmed on Sunday. The move comes in the wake of heightened tensions following India’s cross-border strikes under Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, conducted in response to the deadly Pahalgam massacre.
Currently protected by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Uttar Pradesh Police, the Taj Mahal will soon be safeguarded by advanced drone neutralisation technology. The decision to bolster the monument’s defences reflects a growing concern over the potential use of drones in attacks, particularly at high-profile and culturally significant sites.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Taj Security) Syed Arib Ahmad stated that the anti-drone system will have a range of 7-8 kilometres, with primary effectiveness within a 200-metre radius of the main dome. “The system will automatically jam the signal of any drone entering the area, rendering it inoperable through a ‘soft kill’ mechanism,” he said.
To ensure effective implementation, a dedicated police team is being trained to operate the equipment. The response team will also be responsible for locating the source of the drone and securing the area where it is intercepted. Installation of the system is expected to be completed in the coming days.
As one of India’s most visited tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors each year. Given its symbolic and historical im