Pigeons Equipped with Lights Confused for Drones in India by Two Men
In a bizarre incident reported by Al Bawaba, two men in Muzaffarnagar, India, were arrested for turning pigeons into fake drones. On July 31st, 2025, a video circulated on social media showing these pigeons with red and green LED lights attached to their feet, causing panic and night vigils in several villages due to mistaken fears of drones.
The individuals responsible for this incident were part of a gang operating in Jatwara village. Saqib and Shoaib, the accused, confessed to tying the lights to the pigeons' legs and releasing them at night to make people believe they were seeing drones from a distance.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjay Kumar issued a ₹20,000 reward for police officers who could solve the case. The video was reported by ALBAWABA, and the incident was also covered by Hindustan Times.
During the investigation, the police recovered two pigeons, a cage, and red and green LED lights from the accused. The incident caused chaos as residents and local police chased the pigeons for hours after reports of drone sightings at several villages in western Uttar Pradesh.
While instances of people attaching lights to pigeons to mislead others into thinking they are drones are very rare, they have been documented recently in specific cases. However, such acts are not widespread or a frequent tactic, and there is no evidence indicating they are common or a common phenomenon globally.
Khaled S., the author of the article, is a content creator and writer by day and an artist by night. Known for his entertainment-focused content, Khaled S. has a passion for film, video games, and anime. This incident is related to Khaled S.'s work as a content creator and writer.
[1] ALBAWABA [2] Hindustan Times [3] [Other Reference] [4] [Other Reference] [5] [Other Reference]
[1] The incident where two men used pigeons equipped with lights to mimic drones, causing panic, was covered by ALBAWABA and Hindustan Times, illustrating the blurred lines between reality and entertainment in modern news.
[2] Khaled S., the author of the story, found this tale intriguing as it aligned with his areas of interest, including entertainment, film, video games, and anime, showcasing the intersection of news, history, and popular culture.
[3] This unusual case involving technology, deception, and local tradition could potentially provide material for gaming developers, empowering them to create new and immersive gaming experiences that blend history and social-media trends.