Police Helicopter Dhruv Spotted Patrolling Camp-Levieux and Port-Louis

The Mauritius Police Force has deployed its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv on aerial patrol missions over at least two locations: Camp-Levieux, a locality in the east of the island, and Port-Louis, the national capital.

The sightings, reported by Le Défi Media, point to an intensified security posture by Mauritian authorities as the island continues to grapple with a wave of civil unrest, looting, and public disorder that has gripped parts of the country in recent days.

The Dhruv is an Indian-made multi-role helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is operated by the National Coast Guard of Mauritius, which falls under the command structure of the Mauritius Police Force. The aircraft is capable of surveillance, search and rescue, and rapid-response support missions, making it a versatile tool for monitoring large areas quickly from the air.

Aerial patrols of this kind allow authorities to track crowd movements, identify flashpoints of disorder, and coordinate ground units more effectively — particularly in urban areas like Port-Louis, where narrow streets and dense neighbourhoods can limit the reach of foot and vehicle patrols.

Camp-Levieux, located in the Flacq district on the east coast, is a largely residential area. Its inclusion in aerial patrol routes suggests that police are monitoring a broad geographic spread of the island, not just the capital or commercial zones.

The deployment comes as the government has enacted a nightly curfew, restricted fuel sales in jerry cans, and warned that anti-terror legislation could be used against those involved in looting and rioting. Dozens of arrests have already been made, including minors.

What this means: The use of the Dhruv helicopter for domestic policing patrols is a significant escalation in the security response. It signals that ground-level enforcement alone is considered insufficient to contain or monitor the situation, and that authorities are drawing on all available resources — including air assets normally associated with coast guard and maritime operations — to restore order across the island.

Source: Le Défi Media