Assam Rifles holds drone awareness, security drills for CISF at Agartala airport
Synopsis
The Assam Rifles is quietly building a drone-defence network across India's Northeast — training CISF airport guards in Agartala on aerial threat detection and simultaneously running tactical drone exercises in Nagaland's Peren district. With civilian drone use surging and airport perimeters increasingly vulnerable, this inter-agency push signals a structural shift in how security forces are preparing for unmanned aerial threats.
Key Takeaways
Assam Rifles conducted a drone awareness session and multi-agency exercise for CISF at MBB Airport, Agartala on 12 June .
The session covered drone identification , detection, mitigation, safe interdiction, and legal aspects of drone operations.
A separate multi-agency training exercise at MBB Airport focused on inter-agency synergy and operational readiness.
The Assam Rifles also recently completed a two-day drone exercise in Peren district, Nagaland under the Indian Army's Spear Corps .
The CISF is responsible for aviation security at multiple airports across the Northeastern region , including Agartala.
The Assam Rifles conducted a comprehensive drone awareness session and multi-agency security exercise for personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala, Tripura, defence officials confirmed on Friday, 12 June. The initiative aimed to equip CISF personnel with the skills to detect, assess, and counter emerging aerial threats at one of the Northeast's critical aviation hubs.
What the Drone Awareness Session Covered
According to a defence spokesperson, the session addressed contemporary security challenges posed by unmanned aerial systems, with a focus on timely detection, swift response, and coordinated inter-agency action. Participants were briefed on drone identification, detection and mitigation techniques, safe interdiction procedures, and the legal framework governing drone operations in India.
Special emphasis was placed on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for threat assessment and appropriate countermeasures during potential drone-related incidents. Experts from the Assam Rifles also walked CISF personnel through the varying capabilities of different drone types and the security risks associated with their misuse near critical aviation infrastructure.
Multi-Agency Training Exercise at MBB Airport
Separately, the Assam Rifles also conducted a multi-agency training exercise at the MBB Airport in coordination with the CISF, aimed at strengthening inter-agency synergy and improving the operational readiness of personnel responsible for securing the facility. During the drills, Assam Rifles personnel shared expertise in security protocols, response procedures, and coordinated action during contingencies.
The joint exercise provided a platform to practise coordinated drills, exchange best practices, and enhance situational awareness in dealing with potential security threats at the airport. Senior officials and CISF personnel reportedly appreciated both sessions, which reinforced the importance of seamless coordination in ensuring national security.
Broader Drone Training Across the Northeast
This comes amid a wider push by the Assam Rifles to build drone-related operational capacity across the Northeastern region. The force recently conducted an intensive two-day drone exercise in Nagaland's Peren district, carried out under the Indian Army's Spear Corps at the Drone Training Node in Jalukie. That exercise focused on enhancing tactical surveillance capabilities and technical handling of unmanned aerial systems.
Notably, the Peren exercise was also designed to improve inter-agency cooperation and the operational readiness of personnel tasked with securing critical infrastructure and strategic installations across the region.
Why Inter-Agency Coordination Matters Here
The CISF is responsible for aviation security at several airports across the Northeast, including the MBB Airport in Agartala. With civilian and security drone use expanding rapidly, the risks of misuse near airport perimeters have grown significantly. Officials noted that such joint capacity-building initiatives are crucial for strengthening inter-agency coordination and enhancing operational efficiency among security forces deployed at sensitive locations.
The Assam Rifles reiterated its commitment to assisting civil administration and sister security agencies through preparedness programmes aimed at effectively responding to evolving security challenges in the region. Further joint exercises are expected as part of this ongoing capacity-building mandate.
Point of View
Myanmar, and China's sphere of influence — and the pace of capability-building needs to match the pace of the threat, not just the pace of scheduled exercises.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Assam Rifles conduct at Agartala's MBB Airport?
The Assam Rifles conducted a drone awareness session and a multi-agency security exercise for CISF personnel at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala on 12 June. The session covered drone identification, detection, mitigation, interdiction procedures, and legal aspects of drone operations near critical aviation infrastructure.
Why is drone awareness training important for CISF airport personnel?
With civilian and security drone use expanding rapidly, airports face growing risks from unauthorised or misused unmanned aerial systems. CISF personnel securing airports in the Northeast need updated skills in detection and response, as these locations are strategically sensitive and often under-resourced for emerging aerial threats.
What was covered in the multi-agency exercise at MBB Airport?
The multi-agency exercise focused on inter-agency synergy, operational readiness, coordinated response drills, and best-practice exchange among the Assam Rifles, CISF, airport authorities, and other stakeholders. It was designed to refine response mechanisms for security contingencies at the airport.
What drone exercise did the Assam Rifles conduct in Nagaland?
The Assam Rifles recently conducted an intensive two-day drone exercise in Peren district, Nagaland, under the Indian Army's Spear Corps at the Drone Training Node in Jalukie. It focused on tactical surveillance capabilities and technical handling of unmanned aerial systems.
Which airports in the Northeast is the CISF responsible for securing?
The CISF is responsible for aviation security at several airports across the Northeastern region, including Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, Tripura. These locations are considered critical infrastructure given their proximity to international borders.
