Jammu and Kashmir: Drones breach LoC, return to Pakistan; search operation launched

Jammu and Kashmir: Security forces spotted suspected drone activity in several forward areas near the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts on Sunday evening. 

What did officials say?

Indian Army officials informed the media that all the flying objects came from the Pakistani side and returned after hovering over Indian territory for a few minutes. 

According to officials, security forces have launched a search operation on the ground after spotting suspected drone activity in the forward areas. They said Indian Army personnel guarding the Nowshera sector near the LoC in Rajouri fired with medium and light machine guns after spotting a drone hovering over Gania-Kalsian village at around 6:35 pm.

When were the other drones spotted?

Another drone was spotted at 6:35 pm in Khabbar village of Teryath in Rajouri district. Officials said the flying object with flashing lights came from the direction of Dharamsal village in Kalakote and moved towards Bharkh. They said a drone-like object with flashing lights was seen hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector of Samba at around 7:15 pm. In Poonch district, another drone-like object was seen moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector near the LoC at 6:25 pm.

What weapons did the security forces recover?

Earlier, on Friday night, security forces recovered a cache of weapons dropped by a drone that came from Pakistan in Palura village of Ghagwal near the border in Samba district. They said the recovery included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds, and a grenade. It is worth noting that several drones from Pakistan had also entered Indian territory in May. India retaliated and thwarted their plans. The Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and a major conflict ensued between the two countries for four days. Following this, a ceasefire was agreed upon between the two nations.