Drones along LoC prompt search op in Poonch

JAMMU: Security forces launched a search operation on Monday after more than six drones, suspected to be from Pakistan, were spotted hovering above multiple forward areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district’s Mendhar sector the previous night.

Blinking lights from suspected unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were spotted in Balakote-Langote area around 9.15pm on Sunday. Moments later, about six drones were seen in Gursai nallah area around 9.18pm, official sources said.

The devices may have been launched for surveillance, as they were flying at a very high altitude. The UAVs returned towards Pakistan within five minutes, said an official source.

Despite inclement weather, the areas were cordoned off and a combing operation was launched early Monday to check for air-dropped consignments of weapons or narcotics.

The use of drones by Pakistan to push arms, ammunition, and drugs into India and fuel narco-terrorism in J&K has emerged as a major challenge for security agencies over the past few years. J&K Police had earlier announced cash rewards — ranging from Rs 1-5 lakh — for providing information about subversive activities.
Jammu: Security forces launched a search operation on Monday after more than six drones, suspected to be from Pakistan, were spotted hovering above multiple forward areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district’s Mendhar sector the previous night.

Blinking lights from suspected unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were spotted in Balakote-Langote area around 9.15pm on Sunday. Moments later, about six drones were seen in Gursai nallah area around 9.18pm, official sources said.

The devices may have been launched for surveillance, as they were flying at a very high altitude. The UAVs returned towards Pakistan within five minutes, said an official source.

Despite inclement weather, the areas were cordoned off and a combing operation was launched early Monday to check for air-dropped consignments of weapons or narcotics.

The use of drones by Pakistan to push arms, ammunition, and drugs into India and fuel narco-terrorism in J&K has emerged as a major challenge for security agencies over the past few years. J&K Police had earlier announced cash rewards — ranging from Rs 1-5 lakh — for providing information about subversive activities.