Daijiworld Media Network - Rajouri
Rajouri, Jan 13: Suspected Pakistani drones were spotted along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Tuesday evening, prompting security forces to go on high alert and activate counter-drone measures.
According to sources, two drone-like objects suspected to have crossed over from across the border were sighted hovering over Dheri Dhara village near the LoC in the Keri sector around 7.35 pm. The objects were later seen moving towards Kalali village. Following the sighting, security agencies opened fire and deployed counter-unmanned aerial system measures, while surveillance and monitoring along the border were intensified.
The development comes amid heightened security in the region. Earlier in the day, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu’s Kathua district. Officials said several gunshots were heard after forces launched a search operation based on inputs about the movement of terrorists in a remote village.
Intermittent firing was reported from the Najote forest area of Billawar, about 10 km from the Kamadh nallah in the Kahog forest belt, where security forces had exchanged fire with terrorists on January 7. Officials said the suspected terrorists fired a few shots after noticing the movement of security personnel, who retaliated while advancing deeper into the forest to neutralise them. The cordon-and-search operation has since been strengthened to track down the ultras.
On January 12 as well, suspected drone-like objects were spotted at multiple locations along the LoC and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said a drone was seen moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector of Poonch district around 6.25 pm, while another was noticed at Khabbar village in Teryath area of Rajouri district shortly after. A blinking light was also observed from Dharmsal village in Kalakote towards Bharakh.
Following these sightings, Army and security forces immediately activated counter-UAS measures, after which the suspected drones were seen returning to the other side of the border.