Dr. G. Shreekumar Menon

Drone Breach at Tirumala Raises Alarm

In April 2025, a YouTuber from Rajasthan was detained by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) vigilance personnel for allegedly flying a drone, unauthorisedly, in a restricted area near the temple. According to an official release from the TTD, the incident occurred at the Harinama Sankirtana Mandapam, located opposite to the main temple, which is the Srivari temple, in Tirumala. The man was identified as a content creator who was reportedly using the drone, without proper permission, to capture aerial footage of the iconic Temple premises. Flying drones over temple premises in Tirumala is strictly prohibited under the security guidelines issued by the TTD. The temple attracts lakhs of pilgrims every month and is considered a high-security zone. Unauthorised aerial surveillance or photography is seen as a potential threat to the safety and privacy of the devotees as well as the Temple assets.

“Flying drones over temple premises in Tirumala is strictly prohibited… seen as a potential threat to the safety and privacy of the devotees.”

YouTubers, Espionage, and the ISI Network

Many YouTubers, have come in for adverse notice of enforcement agencies for filming sensitive installations and passing it on covertly to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). A Pakistani businesswoman named Naushaba Shahzad Masood, also known as ‘Madam N’ who runs a travel agency in Lahore, named Jaiyana Travel and Tourism is suspected to be linked to ISI. Masood’s husband is a retired civil services officer. She had cultivated You Tubers Jyoti Malhotra, and Jasbir Singh with the aim of setting up a sleeper cell network in India through social influencers and YouTubers…

“YouTube channels were being covertly misused to pass sensitive information of Indian Army movements and other classified data.”

Ukraine’s Covert Drone Strategy: A Warning for India

Ukraine destroyed $2 billion worth of high value Russian military aircrafts by drones valued at a mere $430. How Ukraine did it? This operation was carried out by Ukraine’s secret service SBU…

“Pre-assembled drones were placed in wooden cabins on truck roofs… launched to attack Russian air bases.”

India’s Vulnerability: Encroachments Near Military Bases

In India, things are even more easy. Almost every Indian army/navy/air force/coast guard bases are surrounded by Rohingya and Bangladeshi illegal camps, and other anti-nationals…

“India needs a massive review and revamp of its internal security architecture.”

Anti-Drone Shield at Taj Mahal – Why Not Temples?

The Taj Security Unit of the Agra Police, in response to heightened tension between India and Pakistan, has intensified security measures in and around the Taj Mahal…

“Taj Mahal is just a 17th century monument—what about the hundreds of massive Temples that are several centuries older?”

Temples Largely Unprotected, Funds Misused

In India, all Temples and historical monuments are being controlled by local State governments, many of whom are steeped and enmeshed in corruption, communalism, and constantly debt ridden…

“Hindu Temples are mostly neglected with little or no security cover.”

Call for Central Legislation and Temple Security Force

It is high time that the Central Government, takes over iconic Temples and monuments, in the interests of national security, and to preserve the cultural and religious sanctity by making appropriate legislation…

“Even the outgoing Agniveers can be absorbed in the Temple Protection Wing.”

Lessons from Operation Sindoor: What Lies Ahead

The recent Operation Sindoor witnessed the deployment of a formidable arsenal of new-age weapons… Pakistan, for its part, in its reactive Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos…

“The next round of conflict is likely to witness massive swarms of drones targeting… cultural and religious structures.”

Need for Stringent Drone Laws

In fact, the government should make unauthorized manufacturing, importing, assembling, and flying of drones illegal and punishable. Vladimir Putin, correctly puts it…

“You need to put drones under control… lay out certain rules of engagement.” – Vladimir Putin

The author Dr G Shreekumar Menon, IRS (Rtd) Ph. D (Narcotics) is Former Director General National Academy of Customs Indirect Taxes and Narcotics, and Multi-Disciplinary School of Economic Intelligence India.

He is also:

  • Fellow, James Martin Centre for Non-Proliferation Studies, USA.
  • Fellow, Centre for International Trade & Security, University of Georgia, USA 
  • Public Administration, Maxwell School of Public Administration, Syracuse University, U.S.A.
  • AOTS Scholar, Japan

Dr G Shreekumar Menon can be contacted at shreemenon48@gmail.com