Telangana Introduces Eagle Squad to Counter Rogue Drones

After nearly three years of dedicated training and effort, the Telangana Police have achieved a significant milestone as their trained eagles successfully intercepted drones in a recent demonstration witnessed by top police officials.

During the demonstration at the Integrated Intelligence Training Academy (IITA) in Moinabad, Hyderabad, three eagles trained by experts were deployed for the first time by any police force in India. Director General of Police Ravi Gupta and other senior IPS officers were present to witness the historic event.

The demonstration showcased the eagles swiftly identifying and intercepting drones, highlighting their precision and effectiveness in countering potential threats posed by aerial intruders.

Initially planned for use during VVIP visits and public gatherings, these specially trained eagles are capable of detecting and neutralizing drones before they pose any harm. The Eagle Squad, part of the Internal Security Wing (ISW), aims to enhance the security apparatus of Telangana Police.

The initiative to employ eagles for drone interception began in July 2020 when the Telangana Police secured funds from the Home department to kickstart the project. Led by local expert Md. Fareed and bird trainer Abir Bhandary from Kolkata, the project witnessed the successful training of three eagle chicks over a span of two years.

Out of the three trained eagles, two are tasked with monitoring and intercepting drones, while the third is dedicated to surveillance duties equipped with a high-quality camera. With daily training sessions lasting an hour, the eagles have achieved a commendable success rate in intercepting intruding drones.

While the project remains in the experimental phase, police officials are optimistic about integrating the eagle squad into active service soon, thereby establishing a specialized unit to combat rogue drones effectively.