UAV lands near house in Doddaballapur, police suspicious as no one claims ownership

Residents of Palanjogihalli near Doddaballapur, in Bengaluru Rural district of Karnataka, underwent some tense moments on January 29 after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landed near a house. They began to worry when no one came forward to claim the UAV.

Later, police seized the UAV and sent it for forensic tests.

Central intelligence agencies were informed, and some officials visited the spot for an inspection.

A senior police officer overseeing the developments told The Hindu that the UAV is a white remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) fitted with a 360-degree high-definition camera. “No explosives or suspicious material were found attached to or concealed in the RPA. However, it had a bundle of wiring and small electronic components. So, it has been sent for a forensic examination,” the officer said.

According to the officer, the UAV flew in and landed near a house on 10th Cross in a residential stretch near Palanjogihalli around 1.30 p.m. Residents saw the UAV land, but did not attempt to pick it up or inspect it.

About an hour later, when no one came looking for the UAV, residents grew suspicious, as the RPA was fitted with a camera. Subsequently, they called the police helpline.

The Doddaballapur Rural police arrived and took the UAV to the police station. When a senior police officer saw the UAV, the bomb disposal squad and Central intelligence agencies were alerted.

However, nothing suspicious was found in the UAV.

A senior police officer said the UAV could belong to students experimenting with technology, or the property of defence officials.

A case has been registered, and an investigation has been launched.