MP govt scrutinises Turkish drone-maker’s linked to Indore, Bhopal metro projects over national security concerns
BHOPAL: Turkish company Asisguard, which is reportedly the manufacturer of Songar armed drones used by Pakistan against India during the recent Operation Sindoor, is now under the scrutiny of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh.
The company, which reportedly holds a contract of over Rs 200 crores for automatic fare collection systems in the upcoming Bhopal and Indore metro railway projects, is under the MP government’s scrutiny, in the wake of use of Songar armed drones in unsuccessfully striking Indian targets.
Taking to the ‘X’ (formerly twitter), the central Indian state’s urban development and housing minister Kailash Vijayvargiya posted, “Nation is supreme ... .There is no place for anti-India mentality. For us, national duty is paramount. Any kind of sympathy or cooperation with anyone who stands against India’s sovereignty, no matter who he is, is intolerable.”
“Turkish company “Asisguard,” which is engaged in manufacturing drones, is accused that the drones manufactured by it were recently used in anti-India activities. The serious issue is that the same company, “Assis” is currently contracted for the work of digital systems in the Bhopal and Indore Metro rail projects. In this regard, instructions have been issued to the officials to conduct a thorough and impartial probe of the facts. If it’s found that the company has direct or indirect links with anti-India elements or its products have been used against India’s national security, then the company’s contract will be terminated. We will not compromise with the nation’s honour, security and self-respect,” Vijayvargiya mentioned in his post.
The development came within days after the May 15 revocation of the security clearance of Turkish aviation giant Celebi Airport Services
Celebi is reportedly ground handling operations at nine major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The ground handling operations of the Turkish company have been reassigned to Indian firms. The Delhi High Court has rejected the company’s petition for relief with a stern “Better safe than sorry response.”