Suspicious Drone Sighted Near International Border in Jammu and Kashmir

Drone Activity Observed in Samba District

On Saturday, a suspected Pakistani drone was spotted hovering over an advanced area adjacent to the international border in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, according to officials. The drone-like object reportedly entered from the direction of Pakistan and lingered over the Kandal village in the Ramgarh sector for several minutes around 7 PM.

Following the sighting of the drone, security forces initiated a search operation in the area to ensure that no illegal items, such as drugs or weapons, were being smuggled via air.

During the operation, no objectionable materials were discovered. Earlier, on January 9, security forces had recovered a cache of weapons dropped by a drone from Pakistan in the Palora village of Ghagwal, Samba. This cache included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition, and a grenade.

In light of heightened security measures ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, several instances of drone activity were reported last week in various forward areas near the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch districts. The army fired upon similar unmanned aerial vehicles at three locations in these border districts and lodged a protest with the Pakistani military.