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Toy copter in Parliament exposes security risk
30 Apr 2009, 0331 hrs IST, TN
NEW DELHI: Exposing a chink in the high-security cordon around New Delhi's VIP zone, a sophisticated remote-controlled toy helicopter landed in the vicinity of Parliament House complex on Wednesday — sounding alarm bells in the security establishment.
Though there was no threat in Wednesday's incident, the implication of the incident — if the toy had been used to carry chemicals or explosives as a lethal payload — have worried the security agencies.
Though the toy was found to be a harmless object during a preliminary examination, the incident showed up some unanticipated challenges for security mechanism including existing jamming systems in the high-security zone which are currently only meant to block communication devices. This is unlike other countries like US and UK where all such buildings have vehicles mounted with jammers to block low-power radio frequency used in such remote controls.
The scare in the wake of the incident was evident till the time technical experts of the security agencies finally ruled out existence of any surveillance camera or other additional equipment attached to the toy.
Confirming the incident, Lok Sabha secretary general P D T Achary said the toy chopper — about two feet in length — landed near the cycle stand of Parliament Annexe. Personnel from intelligence and security agencies reached the spot soon and took away the toy for a detailed examination. They have already begun investigations into different aspects of the incident, he added.
Sources in the agencies, meanwhile, have ruled out possibility that the toy helicopter could have been used as a trial (dry run) by somebody for any future terror act. The authorities have, however, no knowledge who could have launched the toy copter and from where exactly it could have come to the Parliament Annexe. [Interjection: How on Juno's rump did they "rule out" a trial run if they have no knowledge of the source of the incident?]
Security sources said it appeared from the make of the toy chopper and the cells used in it that it had the capacity to fly around 15 minutes. During preliminary investigation, it was found that the "sophisticated" toy came flying from the western side of Parliament from somewhere near Talkatora Road around 10.55 am, they added.
The object landed near the cycle stand and was detected by a CRPF jawan deployed there, claimed sources. The spot was cordoned off as the jawan alerted the control room at the Parliament Annexe which immediately rushed a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) to the site.
"We are also trying to track the remote control which was used for this helicopter," said an officer, adding the matter will be examined thoroughly and additional measures will certainly be taken to block such remore-control guided equipments in future. :suicide_fool-edit:
Toy copter in Parliament exposes security risk - India - The Times of India
30 Apr 2009, 0331 hrs IST, TN
NEW DELHI: Exposing a chink in the high-security cordon around New Delhi's VIP zone, a sophisticated remote-controlled toy helicopter landed in the vicinity of Parliament House complex on Wednesday — sounding alarm bells in the security establishment.
Though there was no threat in Wednesday's incident, the implication of the incident — if the toy had been used to carry chemicals or explosives as a lethal payload — have worried the security agencies.
Though the toy was found to be a harmless object during a preliminary examination, the incident showed up some unanticipated challenges for security mechanism including existing jamming systems in the high-security zone which are currently only meant to block communication devices. This is unlike other countries like US and UK where all such buildings have vehicles mounted with jammers to block low-power radio frequency used in such remote controls.
The scare in the wake of the incident was evident till the time technical experts of the security agencies finally ruled out existence of any surveillance camera or other additional equipment attached to the toy.
Confirming the incident, Lok Sabha secretary general P D T Achary said the toy chopper — about two feet in length — landed near the cycle stand of Parliament Annexe. Personnel from intelligence and security agencies reached the spot soon and took away the toy for a detailed examination. They have already begun investigations into different aspects of the incident, he added.
Sources in the agencies, meanwhile, have ruled out possibility that the toy helicopter could have been used as a trial (dry run) by somebody for any future terror act. The authorities have, however, no knowledge who could have launched the toy copter and from where exactly it could have come to the Parliament Annexe. [Interjection: How on Juno's rump did they "rule out" a trial run if they have no knowledge of the source of the incident?]
Security sources said it appeared from the make of the toy chopper and the cells used in it that it had the capacity to fly around 15 minutes. During preliminary investigation, it was found that the "sophisticated" toy came flying from the western side of Parliament from somewhere near Talkatora Road around 10.55 am, they added.
The object landed near the cycle stand and was detected by a CRPF jawan deployed there, claimed sources. The spot was cordoned off as the jawan alerted the control room at the Parliament Annexe which immediately rushed a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) to the site.
"We are also trying to track the remote control which was used for this helicopter," said an officer, adding the matter will be examined thoroughly and additional measures will certainly be taken to block such remore-control guided equipments in future. :suicide_fool-edit:
Toy copter in Parliament exposes security risk - India - The Times of India