Pune has heightened its security at key locations, including the airport, airbase, and Dagdusheth Mandir, in response to increasing security concerns. The decision comes as authorities ramp up vigilance following specific intelligence regarding potential threats. The city’s security agencies are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of its residents and visitors, enforcing new measures that include advanced surveillance and increased personnel deployment.
Increased Vigilance At Pune Airport
Pune Airport has tightened security with more personnel, stricter checks, and enhanced surveillance systems. Authorities now conduct random inspections and closely examine hand luggage to reduce potential risks. They have also increased canine patrols to ensure safety across the airport premises. These steps help maintain smooth airport operations while prioritizing passenger security.
Strengthened Defences At Pune Airbase
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has heightened its security at the Air Force Station (AFS) Pune. According to a recent report, the airbase has seen the installation of advanced technologies to combat the growing threat of drones and other aerial surveillance devices. The IAF has reportedly deployed both soft-kill and hard-kill drone countermeasures to safeguard the base. Additionally, the area within a 3-kilometre radius of the airbase has been declared a no-drone zone to prevent any aerial interference. Security at the perimeter has been fortified, with additional patrols and surveillance systems in place, as a preventive measure against potential intrusions.
Enhanced Security At Dagdusheth Mandir
Security agencies have placed the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh Temple, one of Pune’s most iconic religious sites, under heightened protection. Local authorities have cleared the temple’s surroundings of unnecessary congestion to manage large crowds more effectively. They have deployed extra police personnel at the site to maintain order, particularly during peak visiting hours. Surveillance teams have equipped the area with enhanced monitoring systems, ensuring visitors feel safe while offering their prayers. These actions respond to possible security threats, with officials taking all necessary steps to safeguard both the temple and its devotees.
In addition to these measures, Pune district has seen a significant increase in security presence due to ‘Operation Sindoor,’ launched by the Indian armed forces against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. A senior police officer confirmed that this operation has prompted heightened security around sensitive locations in the district, which includes vital installations in the jurisdiction of Pune city, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Pune rural police.
Important defence establishments such as the Southern Command headquarters, the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, INS Shivaji in Lonavala, and Ammunition Factory, Khadki are located in Pune. The officer noted that police bandobast has been increased at certain spots, including the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, a prominent religious place located on the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road in the heart of Pune city. The temple has been on the radar of terrorist organizations, said police.
Police force was also deployed, and patrolling was intensified at other strategic locations in the district as a preventive measure. The Police and the district administration in Pune have appealed to citizens to remain alert about any suspicious movements and avoid falling prey to rumors.
On May 7, 2025, Civil Defence mock drills were conducted at six locations in the district to prepare for any potential emergencies. A multi-agency coordination meeting regarding the mock drills was chaired in Pune by District Collector Jitendra Dudi. Meanwhile, as a routine procedure, the special branch of Pune city police on May 9, 2025, issued an order prohibiting the use of high-intensity light beams, which are directed skywards at night, within a 15-km radius of the airfield of Pune International Airport in Lohegaon. This order, issued by Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) Ranjan Kumar Sharma, will be in force for the next two months.
As Pune continues to bolster its security measures in response to these threats, the synergy between local police, security agencies, and the community remains crucial. The heightened state of alert serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by cities around the world in maintaining safety and security for their residents and visitors.
