New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) Increasingly, lone-wolf terrorists are utilizing drones to perform reconnaissance on potential targets. The Islamic State has been actively promoting the use of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) drones through its various propaganda channels, encouraging these individuals to gather intelligence on specific targets.

The group advocates for the use of COTS drones, which are readily available and mass-produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), for both reconnaissance and direct attacks. Unlike custom-built military drones, these are designed for immediate deployment and are commonly used in industries such as agriculture, construction, and real estate.

The accessibility and low noise levels of these drones have made them appealing to terror organizations. Their characteristics make them optimal for lone actors, prompting the Islamic State to heavily endorse their use.

Experts indicate that these drones can be easily modified to transport and deploy improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Although crafting the IED remains a challenge, operating the COTS drones is relatively straightforward. The Islamic State possesses ample resources for IED preparation.

Moreover, the Islamic State has capitalized on the drones' low noise signature, which enables terrorists to execute operations discreetly. This quality makes detection by human senses or acoustic sensors difficult, allowing the drones to hover unnoticed over target areas. This aspect is particularly important for the Islamic State when it comes to reconnaissance efforts.

Counterterrorism specialists note that COTS drones can carry payloads ranging from 2 to 5 kilograms. While the impact of a single attack may be limited, the psychological ramifications can be substantial. The Islamic State is notorious for instilling fear and psychological terror during its assaults, utilizing tactics such as vehicle ramming to achieve this.

In addition to surveillance and IED strikes, the terror group also advocates for the use of COTS drones to disperse chemicals over large gatherings, inciting panic among the populace.

An official from the Intelligence Bureau has expressed concerns regarding the threat posed by COTS drones, particularly when used by lone actors. However, India swiftly addressed this issue by implementing a ban through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in 2022. This ban aims to promote local manufacturing under the Make in India initiative and encourage the development of indigenous drones, prioritizing national security and preventing foreign drones from potentially collecting sensitive data.

Reports have also indicated that such drones are being used for drug smuggling across borders.

Another official mentioned that Pakistan has been attempting to smuggle these drones into India, posing a risk to national security and potentially enabling lone actor terrorists to follow the Islamic State's directives within the country.