Jammu and Kashmir— Security agencies have been placed on high alert after a spike in drone activity was reported near the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, just days ahead of Republic Day. Officials said the increased sightings are suspected to be linked to Pakistan and have prompted heightened surveillance across sensitive border areas.
According to security sources, at least five drones were spotted across multiple locations, including Poonch, Nowshera, Dharamsala, Ramgarh and Parkha. In the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district, an alleged Pakistani drone was seen close to the LoC, prompting Indian Army personnel to open fire as a precautionary response.
Authorities said all drones appeared to have crossed over briefly into Indian territory before retreating. In one instance, Army troops guarding the Nowshera sector detected drone movement over the Gania-Kalsian village around 6:35 pm and responded with machine-gun fire. Another drone was reported over the Khabbar village in the Teriath area at the same time. Later in the evening, a drone-like object was seen hovering for nearly two minutes over Chak Babaral village in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district, while another sighting was reported in the Mankote sector near the LoC in Poonch district.
In light of these developments, security has been tightened along the border, with the Army, BSF and other agencies maintaining round-the-clock vigilance to prevent any infiltration or sabotage attempts. Additional troops have been deployed in vulnerable areas, and monitoring systems have been intensified.
The incidents follow another suspicious development earlier this week, when a pigeon believed to have crossed over from Pakistan was caught near the LoC in the Akhnoor sector. The bird reportedly had rings on its legs bearing Pakistani names and numbers, and a stamp linked to a pigeon club in Nowshera, a city in Pakistan. Security forces seized the pigeon for investigation to determine any possible security implications.
Officials said investigations are ongoing and stressed that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety in the region amid the heightened alert.
