A wave of fear has gripped several villages in western Uttar Pradesh after unidentified drones with flashing lights were spotted hovering in the night sky.
The sightings-reported from Hapur, Moradabad, Bijnor, Sambhal, and Amroha districts-have left villagers anxious, with many keeping night vigils and forming patrol groups to guard their homes.
Residents say the drones start appearing after dusk, often flying low enough to be clearly visible, with blinking lights sparking alarm among villagers who now hesitate to step out after dark. In several villages, people have taken to their rooftops with sticks and stones in an attempt to scare the drones away. Police presence has been stepped up in response to the panic.
In Hapur’s Simbhaoli area, drones have been sighted over villages such as Buxar, Rajpur, and Tigri. “They come almost every night,” said Ramesh Kumar, a local from Tigri. “People are scared to go out, especially women and children. It is like living under surveillance.” Police teams from Simbhaoli and Garh Kotwali have begun night patrolling and have urged villagers to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.
Over the past two nights, drones were reportedly seen in Akhapur, Hiranpura, Allabakhshpur and nearby areas. Videos of the incidents have surfaced on social media, prompting speculation and spreading rumors. Police have yet to confirm the origin of the drones or identify those behind them.
In Bijnor, drone sightings were reported Friday night from villages under Noorpur, Chandpur, Syohara and Dhampur blocks. According to residents, flashing drones were seen around 11 PM, prompting chaos and loud shouts as locals tried to track the flying objects. Some even attempted to knock them down by throwing stones, but the drones were flying too high.
“We suspect these drones are being used by criminals to survey our homes and plan thefts,” said Manoj Tyagi, a resident of Chandpur. Similar fears were echoed in Amroha and Moradabad, where drone sightings in the past few days have heightened anxiety among villagers.
Moradabad police have launched an investigation and are questioning drone operators involved in weddings and public events, but no concrete leads have emerged so far. In Pakbara and Agwanpur villages, drones were seen on Thursday night. Youth groups in the area have now taken it upon themselves to keep watch.
“We’ve received several calls regarding night-time drone sightings,” said a Moradabad police officer. “Patrols are ongoing and efforts are being made to trace the source of these drones.”
In Sambhal, villagers in Asmoli and Bichholi claimed to have seen drones flying over their homes. The fear is so pervasive that people now stare at the sky soon after sunset, and many sleep with lights on. “We are living in fear. These drones keep returning and we don’t know who is behind them,” said Farzana Begum, a homemaker in Asmoli. “The administration must find out what’s going on.”
Police have acknowledged the complaints and have intensified patrolling. Circle Officers in affected districts have been directed to investigate the drone sightings thoroughly. “Teams have been formed and we will soon trace the origin of these drones,” said an officer from Hapur Police.
While there have been no reports of theft or intrusion so far, the psychological impact on villagers is undeniable. The state police has assured strict action once those responsible for flying the drones are identified. Meanwhile, authorities are urging citizens to avoid panic and refrain from spreading unverified information.