Ladakh Moves to Tighten Security Around Leh Airport

Officials said the concerns were taken up during a high-level interdepartmental meeting chaired by Nidhi Malik, Administrative Secretary of Ladakh’s Civil Aviation Department. The meeting reviewed a wide range of operational, infrastructure, aviation safety and security issues raised by Air Force Station Leh, which functions as a crucial defence facility with a civil aviation component.

The IAF had flagged that images and videos reportedly showing operational zones, runway layouts, aircraft movement and other restricted parts of the installation were increasingly being recorded and uploaded online, often by visitors and tourists. Officials noted that such material, once shared widely on social media, could pose a security risk in a sensitive high-altitude border region located close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Following the concerns, Malik directed the agencies concerned to strengthen enforcement of existing restrictions on photography and videography in and around sensitive locations, launch public awareness campaigns on restricted areas, and formulate standard operating procedures to prevent unauthorised recording of defence-sensitive installations.

The issue had earlier been highlighted in a communication addressed to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, prompting the administration to bring together departments and technical agencies for a coordinated review. Officials said the objective was to balance civil aviation requirements, public convenience and tourism activity with the operational security needs of the Air Force station.

During the meeting, IAF representatives also gave detailed inputs on the proposed second runway, obstacle limitation requirements, airspace safety, terrain-related constraints and the need to remove physical obstructions that could adversely affect flight operations. They stressed that a scientific assessment of obstacles around the airport was necessary to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards and to meet future operational requirements.

Malik directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Ladakh Revenue Department and other technical agencies to conduct surveys of the identified locations and submit a report containing technical assessments and recommendations for further action. The review also covered land-use regulations, unauthorised constructions, building permissions around airport zones and compliance with obstacle limitation norms.

The installation of CCTV cameras and other surveillance infrastructure in areas overlooking sensitive IAF establishments was also discussed. Officials said it was decided that any such surveillance infrastructure would be installed strictly in accordance with prescribed security guidelines and only after obtaining clearances from the competent authorities.

The administration underlined that construction activity within designated aviation safety zones must strictly follow applicable regulations. Departments were asked to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms so that unauthorised structures or physical obstructions do not compromise flight safety or defence preparedness.

Leh airport is considered one of the most strategically significant airfields in the region because of its location, altitude and role in supporting military and civilian movement across Ladakh. While the airport serves commercial passengers through its civil enclave, the larger facility remains closely linked to IAF operations in a sensitive frontier area.

Officials said the latest directions are intended to ensure that visitors, residents and online content creators do not inadvertently expose sensitive defence assets or operational details.