Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir reported a series of suspected drone movements from the Pakistani side along the sensitive International Border and Line of Control on Sunday evening. The incidents, which triggered immediate ground search operations, occurred across the border districts of Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch.
Army Opens Fire in Rajouri Sector
In a significant escalation, Army troops opened fire using medium and light machine guns after observing drone movement over Gania-Kalsian village in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. This action took place around 6:35 pm on Sunday.
Almost simultaneously, another drone was sighted over Khabbar village in the Teryath area of the same district. Officials described the flying object as having a blinking light. It was seen approaching from the direction of Dharmsal village in Kalakote and moving towards Bharakh.
Sightings Across Samba and Poonch
The drone activity was not confined to Rajouri. In Samba district, a drone-like object with a blinking light was observed hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector around 7:15 pm.
Earlier, at approximately 6:25 pm, a similar object was noticed in the Poonch district. It was seen moving from the direction of Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector along the LoC. Officials confirmed that in all instances, the drones came from the Pakistan side and returned after hovering over Indian territory for a few minutes.
Link to Recent Arms Recovery
These fresh sightings come just days after a major security scare. On Friday night, security forces recovered an arms consignment allegedly dropped by a Pakistan-origin drone in Paloora village of Ghagwal, near the International Border in Samba district.
The recovered cache included:
- Two pistols
- Three magazines
- 16 rounds of ammunition
- One grenade
This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges and the persistent use of drones for cross-border smuggling of weapons and contraband into the Jammu region. Following the latest sightings, security forces have launched intensive ground searches in all the affected areas to rule out any possible drops.
