Jammu: Security forces launched a large-scale search operation in border villages of Samba district on Saturday after reports of a suspected drone crossing the International Border from Pakistan into Indian territory.
According to officials, the drone activity was detected late on Friday night over villages in the Ramgarh sector. The suspected unmanned aerial vehicle was reportedly seen hovering for a short time above the villages of Kandral, Abtal and Bahadurpur.
Security personnel immediately heightened surveillance in the region and sealed the surrounding areas. At first light on Saturday, teams from multiple security agencies began an extensive ground search to check whether any illegal consignment had been dropped by the drone.
Officials said the operation is aimed at locating possible packages containing weapons, explosives or narcotics that could have been delivered from across the border.
The incident comes amid rising concerns over cross-border smuggling attempts in the region. In a recent operation in the neighbouring R.S. Pura sector, security forces recovered more than 3.5 kilograms of heroin believed to have been smuggled via drones. Authorities estimated the seized narcotics to be worth over ₹20 crore in the international market.
Police also detained two suspected smugglers for questioning in connection with the recovery in the R.S. Pura area.
Officials said search operations in the Samba region are ongoing and security forces remain on high alert to prevent cross-border infiltration and smuggling activities.
