Laser beam distracts pilot during landing, Police lodges FIR

A pilot of an IndiGo plane was distracted by a laser beam as the aircraft was about to land at the international airport here, posing a safety hazard.

Delhi police, which prohibited the use of laser beams in the vicinity of airport in 2015, has registered a case in this regard after the pilot complained about the laser beam to the Air Traffic Controller.

The incident occurred on Monday shortly after midnight.

Despite the ban on laser beams, airport sources claimed it is still a "common occurence" with party and wedding venues regularly violating it.

The pilot of IndiGo flight 6E 19 from Mumbai complained to the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) about a laser beam just as he was about to land on runway 29/11 at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. The ATC then reported the matter to the police, as per the complaint.

A case has been registered under Section 188 of IPC (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) which entails imprisonment of upto six months.

"This is a serious safety hazard as the strong beams can blind the pilot. There is a need to create more awareness and sensitise the people in the nearby areas," said an airport official on the condition of anonymity.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)