Suspected Drone from Bangladesh Found in Paddy Field Near India Tripura Border

Authorities in Tripura have launched an investigation after a drone, suspected to have entered Indian territory from Bangladesh, was discovered in a paddy field near the Indo-Bangladesh border in South Tripura district. The unmanned aerial vehicle was found on Monday in Ballamukha village, located just 300 to 350 meters from the barbed wire fencing that demarcates the international boundary.

The drone was first spotted by a former police constable, who immediately alerted officials at the Belonia police station. Following the tip-off, a police team arrived at the site and seized the drone. The discovery has raised concerns about the security of the sensitive border region, which is often under strict surveillance due to concerns of smuggling and illegal crossings.

“We received information about the drone from a resident and acted promptly,” said a senior police officer from Belonia. “The drone was found lying in a paddy field and has since been taken into our custody. It is currently being kept at the Belonia police station while we begin a detailed investigation.”

Although the police have not yet confirmed the drone’s origin, they suspect it may have entered Indian airspace from across the border in Bangladesh. Authorities are preparing to conduct a forensic examination of the drone to retrieve any possible flight data or stored information. “We are planning to initiate a forensic analysis to understand the drone’s last known flight path, and whether it was being used for surveillance, smuggling, or any other unlawful activity,” the official added.

The incident comes amid increased concerns over the use of drones in border areas for surveillance and other illicit activities. In recent years, Indian security forces have reported multiple cases of drones being used along international borders, especially in regions where smuggling of contraband or illegal surveillance is suspected.

Local authorities have also informed the Border Security Force (BSF), which guards the India-Bangladesh border, about the incident. Coordination between the police and BSF is expected to intensify in the coming days to determine whether there have been other recent drone sightings or unusual activity in the area.

Officials are also looking into whether the drone was being operated by any local entity or if it had malfunctioned and strayed across the border unintentionally. Given the proximity of the discovery to the border, the possibility of it being a cross-border flight is being taken seriously.

As the investigation continues, officials have urged residents in border areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, including sightings of unidentified flying objects. Meanwhile, security has been stepped up in and around Ballamukha village, with additional patrolling being carried out to ensure there are no further breaches.

The drone’s origin, payload, and purpose remain unclear at this time. Authorities hope that data retrieved from the device will shed light on its source and whether it posed a threat to national security.