Multiple drone sightings trigger security alert near LoC in J&K;, search ops launched

Security forces detected suspected drone activity along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in multiple districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, prompting ground search operations, officials told PTI. The drones were seen entering Indian airspace from the Pakistan side before returning after hovering briefly.

Drone Sightings Across Border Districts

According to officials, the first incident was reported around 6.35 pm in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district, where Army personnel opened machine-gun fire after spotting a drone over Gania-Kalsian village. Around the same time, another drone with a blinking light was observed over Khabbar village in the Teryath area of Rajouri. The object reportedly entered from the direction of Dharmsal village in Kalakote and moved towards Bharakh.

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In Samba district, a drone-like object was seen hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector at around 7.15 pm. Meanwhile, in Poonch district, another flying object was detected moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector along the LoC at about 6.25 pm.

Search Operations Launched

Following the sightings, security forces launched coordinated search operations in the affected areas to rule out any possible infiltration or payload drops.

The incidents come days after security personnel recovered an arms consignment in Paloora village of Ghagwal in Samba district. The cache, allegedly dropped by a Pakistan-origin drone, included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition and a grenade, officials said.