Surat: An IndiGo pilot reported interference from a green laser beam while landing at Surat International Airport on Saturday night, prompting a coordinated response from airport authorities, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police to trace the source of the light.The incident occurred when IndiGo flight 6E-6511, operating from New Delhi to Surat, was on its final approach. The flight had departed New Delhi at 8.10pm and was approaching Surat at around 10pm when the pilot alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC) about a green laser beam visible during the landing.According to officials, the pilot reported spotting the laser at approximately 9.56pm when the aircraft was about 7 nautical miles from the runway threshold.Following the alert, the ATC coordinated with the Airport Authority of India, CISF and other concerned agencies to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the aircraft’s landing.“Such laser beams can momentarily affect the pilot’s vision, therefore such incidents are taken extremely seriously from the perspective of aviation safety. As soon as the information was received, immediate coordination was established between concerned agencies, and the incident was verified,” an airport official said.A preliminary investigation indicated that the laser beam had likely originated from the Katargam area of the city. Based on the findings, ATC informed the Katargam police and sought legal and preventive action to identify the source and prevent similar incidents in the future.Katargam police inspector L R Gohil said officers conducted searches at several locations where laser lights could have been used.“Upon receiving the message over laser light, we have investigated all the probable places including party plots to find if any such lights were used. We have also gone to tall buildings to find the origin of such lights,” Gohil told TOI.Following the incident, CISF appealed to the public to refrain from using laser lights, high-powered laser devices, drones or engaging in any activity near the airport that could interfere with aircraft operations. Officials warned that such acts endanger aviation safety and are punishable under relevant legal provisions.
