Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir made a series of concerning discoveries this Monday, seizing an abandoned drone near the sensitive Pakistan border and recovering ammunition magazines in a separate district over 270 kilometers away. The incidents have triggered fresh security alerts and probes in the region.
Drone Discovery Sparks Espionage Fears in Poonch
In the border district of Poonch, the police's Special Operations Group (SOG) acted on a specific tip-off. The information led them to a field in Gohled village, which belongs to a local identified as Mohd Shafiq. There, they found and seized an unidentified drone. The location is notably close to the Mendhar sector of the Line of Control (LoC), immediately raising suspicions of espionage activities.
However, officials later clarified that the seized device was not military-grade equipment. They indicated it appeared to be among the types of drones commonly used for photography at weddings and social events. Despite this clarification, the recovery so close to the border has intensified vigilance, given the past use of drones for cross-border smuggling and surveillance.
AK Magazines Found in Udhampur Field
In a seemingly unconnected but equally alarming incident, security personnel conducting a search operation in Udhampur district found seven rounds of magazines for an AK-series rifle. The discovery was made in an open field at Sudhmahadev village in the Chenani area. The magazines were reportedly strewn about, suggesting they had been discarded. No arrests have been made in connection with this find, and a detailed investigation is currently underway to determine their origin and intended use.
Other Security Incidents in Jammu Region
The day also saw other security-related incidents across the Jammu region. In the Pragwal area, forces recovered an aircraft-shaped balloon from the border village of Gurah Manhasa. Intriguingly, the balloon bore the marking "PIA", the acronym for Pakistan International Airlines, adding a cross-border dimension to the find.
Furthermore, on the outskirts of Jammu city in Barmini, security checks led to the arrest of a man traveling in a Scorpio vehicle. The individual, identified as Sahil Singh, was allegedly found in possession of an illegal 12-bore gun and two cartridges. Police have taken him into custody, and further investigations are ongoing in this case as well.
These series of recoveries and arrests highlight the persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in areas close to the international border. While the drone's purpose is initially downplayed by authorities, the recovery of rifle magazines and other suspicious items has prompted security forces to heighten their alert levels. The probes across Poonch, Udhampur, and Jammu aim to uncover any potential links between these incidents and to thwart any possible threats to the region's stability.
