Anti-Naxal operations: Hand-launched UAVs to be deployed

Raipur, Aug 31 (PTI) Hand-launched unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs) will soon be deployed in Naxal-hit zones of
the country to provide security forces a close range
surveillance of the ground terrain.
Initially, two 'mini' UAVs are proposed to be deployed in
eastern Indian states Chhattisgarh and a border-area of
Jharkhand to gather ground information for security forces
before they embark on anti-Naxal operations and launch planned
offensives.
A proposal in this regard was recently submitted to the
Home Ministry by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),
which has deployed close to 70,000 troops for counter-Naxal
operations.
Officials involved in the trials and testing of these
machines, aimed to gather advanced reconnaissance and
situational awareness functions, said the technical wing of
the CRPF recently flew such an in-house developed machine over
Chandigarh.
"The results were encouraging. Hence UAVs of Skylark make
which can be launched by hand are being chosen to be deployed
in Naxal-affected areas," a senior officer said.
The mini UAVs can be quickly assembled before the mission
and are recovered by landing the vehicle on a small inflatable
cushion. The UAV is armed with gadgets to capture images and
can carry payload to fly for almost three hours.
The UAV has been used by NATO forces in various missions
to ensure security of their camps from ambush and fire
attacks, the officer said.