Centre tells CRPF for “shoot at sight” after drones spotted in Naxal cradles

The Centre has
issued shoot at sight orders for security forces, especially the Central
Reserve Police Force (CRPF), deployed in Maoist-hit areas, after a serious and
new threat of drones by the Naxalites came to light recently, sources said.

The
development comes after drone-like objects were spotted flying over CRPF camps
in Kistaram and Pallodi areas of Chhattisgarh’s south Bastar district about a
month ago.

The
directive was issued by a unified command of security and intelligence agencies
at the Centre.

According to
reports, small red and white light emitting drones were seen flying near the
Kistaram and Pallodi camps at least four times in three days last month.

The drones,
according to reports, drew the attention of the security personnel who took
offensive position and an alert was sounded across all nearby CRPF camps,
fearing Naxal trouble.

However,
reports added, the drones disappeared even before they could be aimed at and
shot.

The
intelligence agencies suspect that drones are being used by the Maoists to keep
a track on the movements of the security forces.