Security forces detected suspected drone activity along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in multiple districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, triggering heightened security measures and extensive ground search operations. Officials told PTI that the drones were observed entering Indian airspace from the Pakistan side, hovering briefly over border villages, and then returning across the border.
The incidents have raised concerns amid continuing attempts by hostile elements to use unmanned aerial vehicles for cross-border surveillance and arms smuggling.
Multiple Drone Sightings Reported
According to official sources, the first sighting was reported at around 6.35 pm in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. Army personnel noticed a drone hovering over Gania-Kalsian village, following which machine-gun fire was opened as a precautionary measure to deter any hostile activity.
Almost simultaneously, another drone with a blinking light was spotted over Khabbar village in the Teryath area of Rajouri district. Officials said the drone appeared to have entered Indian territory from the direction of Dharmsal village in Kalakote, before moving towards Bharakh, raising suspicions of reconnaissance or possible payload drop attempts.
In Samba district, residents and security personnel observed a drone-like object hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector at around 7.15 pm. Meanwhile, in Poonch district, another unidentified flying object was detected moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector along the LoC at approximately 6.25 pm.
Search Operations and Heightened Vigilance
Following the sightings, joint search operations were launched by the Army and other security agencies across the affected areas to rule out infiltration attempts or the dropping of arms, ammunition or explosives. Additional troops were deployed, and surveillance was intensified along vulnerable stretches of the border.
Officials said no immediate recovery was reported till late evening, but search operations were continuing as a precautionary measure. Security agencies remain on high alert, especially in border districts known to be vulnerable to drone-assisted smuggling activities.
Link to Recent Arms Recovery
The latest incidents come just days after security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Paloora village of Ghagwal in Samba district. According to officials, the consignment was allegedly dropped by a Pakistan-origin drone and included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition and a grenade. The recovery had already prompted intensified monitoring of drone movements along the IB and LoC.
Security officials said the repeated sightings indicate a continued effort to exploit drones for terror-related activities, despite enhanced counter-drone measures deployed in recent months. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining strict vigilance and neutralising any threat to national security.
