Khurda: Panic gripped residents of several villages after a low-flying airplane was spotted circling over Chilika several times on Thursday.
According to the residents of Satpada, Mahisa and Brahmagiri, the aircraft was flying at much lower height over Chilika at around 10 AM.
“We spotted the aircraft circling over Chilika for nearly 10 to 12 times. We were panicked as it was flying at much lower height,” said Sanjay Behera, a local resident.
Later, officials of the Marine Police Station clarified that that it was a Dornier Aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard which was pressed into service for patrolling and security surveillance.
“It was an aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard which was engaged in patrolling,” said Sudhir Kumar Acharya, inspector of Marine Police Station.