Taj Mahal Fortified: Drone, AI-Proof Shield Adds New Security Layer To India's Most Visited Monument
Security agencies have deployed advanced anti-drone technology to guard the 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site against emerging aerial threats
An AI-proof, drone-neutralising security layer has now been added to shield the Taj Mahal – India's most visited monument.
Security agencies have deployed advanced anti-drone technology to guard the Taj Mahal, which is a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site, against emerging aerial threats.
The installation of this advanced security system, boasting an 8-km detection range, forms part of stringent measures implemented particularly in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The state-of-the-art technology is capable of detecting, disabling, and neutralising hostile UAVs within seconds; thus, ensuring enhanced protection for the architectural marvel.
ADVANCED ANTI-DRONE SYSTEM INSTALLED
The newly installed anti-drone system at the Taj Mahal has an operational range of 8 km and is capable of tracking, detecting, and neutralising drones within a 500-metre radius of the monument.
Developed in response to increasing security threats, including drone-based incursions and the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in disinformation campaigns, this system represents a significant technological leap in the protection of heritage sites in India.
Authorities successfully conducted a mock drill at the Dussehra Ghat near Yamuna river, where the anti-drone system detected and disabled an incoming UAV within seconds. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Taj security) Sayed Areeb Ahmad said the system not only detects drones from all directions but also identifies the launch location of the device.
'This ensures not just interception but also accountability. Any drone entering the no-fly zone will immediately trigger enforcement and legal action against its operator," he said.
The urgency was felt after Operation Sindoor – the Indian Air Force strikes that destroyed terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) – heightened fears of retaliation.
FAKE FIRE VIDEO SPARKS ALERT
Just days later, a fake video circulated on social media showing the Taj Mahal engulfed in flames, misleading the public and raising concerns among authorities about the weaponisation of AI-generated content.
The alarming clip, shared via Instagram with the caption – 'Taj Mahal on Fire: Pakistan Attacks' – was quickly flagged by the Agra police cyber unit. The video was confirmed to be AI-generated, and a case was filed against the individual responsible.
'There is zero tolerance for such misinformation. It not only spreads panic but also undermines national security," DCP Sonam Kumar said.
HISTORIC SECURITY MEASURES
The threat to the Taj Mahal is not new. During the 1942 World War II era, the monument was camouflaged using bamboo scaffolding and green fabric due to fears of Japanese aerial attacks.
Similar precautions were taken during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan wars, with local residents recalling how the entire structure, including its dome and minarets, was carefully covered to avoid detection from enemy planes. The memories from those days still linger in Agra.
Local residents remember the night-time blackouts and the spirit of civilian defence that prevailed. Now, in a vastly different era, instead of nets and covers, it is algorithms, radars, and jamming technology that protect the Taj.
The anti-drone system – capable of performing 'soft kills' by jamming drone signals – is designed to neutralise threats without physical collision. It includes radar for detection, GPS jammers for neutralisation, and command-control modules that allow human operators to assess and act in real time.
JOINT VIGILANCE AND TRAINING
Security personnel have undergone a week-long training programme to operate the equipment efficiently. The system is jointly monitored by the Agra Police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who are responsible for securing both the monument and its vicinity.
Flying drones near the Taj remains strictly prohibited under the 'no-drone zone' directive, and violators will face strict penal action. Officials are also planning the deployment of a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) response team to handle unconventional threats.
'If ever there's a chemical or radiation-based emergency, the CBRN team will ensure rapid evacuation and secure disposal of hazardous material," ACP Sayed Areeb Ahmad added.
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Artifical intelligence Drones Taj Mahal
Location :
Agra, India, India
First Published:
June 02, 2025, 07:00 IST
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