Pakistan drone spotted near LoC in Poonch

A suspected Pakistani drone was spotted near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Friday evening, prompting a high alert. Security forces launched a search operation early Saturday, according to officials.

The unmanned aerial vehicle was detected around 8:05 pm on Friday in the general area of Behrooti village in the Balakote area of the Mendhar sector. The drone was observed moving towards the Mangalnar-Dabrote axis near the border before returning towards Pakistan, officials told the Press Trust of India (PTI). Army troops deployed along the LoC immediately increased surveillance in the forward areas.

Security forces on high alert

Security forces have been placed on high alert following the aerial activity, with the search operation still underway as reported by ANI. Forces are searching nearby areas for any weapons, contraband or other material that the drone may have dropped. The operation aims to prevent further incursions.

Widespread search operations

The drone activity comes amid multiple search operations being conducted by security forces in the forested areas of Jammu and Kashmir. These operations follow inputs about suspicious movement.

Police, along with the Army and paramilitary forces, launched a joint search operation across several areas of the Udhampur-Kathua forest belt on Friday evening. The operation covered Khuban, Nagain, Khtrail, Godu Falal, Padetar, Chor Mottu, Kia, Kheba, Bhed, Marta, Joffar and adjoining areas. Security personnel continued combing the dense forest areas to verify the inputs and rule out the presence of any suspected persons.

In Rajouri, another search operation was launched in Gaibas, Mithiyani, Mogla and Narla. This followed reports from villagers about the movement of two suspected armed men believed to be terrorists. Officials said there had been no contact with the suspected persons so far and search operations were continuing.

Previous drone incident

Earlier this year, Indian Army troops opened fire at a Pakistani drone after it briefly crossed the LoC into Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The drone was spotted near a forward post in the Digwar area on March 1. Troops fired more than a dozen rounds in an attempt to bring it down, but the drone escaped the firing and returned to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials stated. A search operation was subsequently launched in the area to check whether that drone had dropped weapons or narcotics.

Another Pakistani drone was reported in the same area on February 27.