A drone suspected to have crossed from Pakistan was sighted hovering above forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district late on Friday, prompting security forces to mount a multi-agency search operation early on Saturday, officials said.
Initial sighting and movement
According to officials, the unmanned aerial vehicle was first observed over Behrooti village in the Balakote area of the Mendhar sector. The device moved towards the Mangalnar-Dabrote side near the border before returning across the LoC into Pakistan, they said.
Army troops posted along the LoC immediately intensified surveillance and launched searches at first light to ascertain whether the drone had dropped or been carrying any suspicious material, the officials added.
Searches expand across border districts
Concurrent with the Mendhar searches, police, Army and paramilitary personnel began an extensive sweep of forested tracts in the Udhampur-Kathua belt after receiving information about suspicious movement, officials said. The areas covered in the joint operation included Khuban, Nagain, Khtrail, Godu Falal, Padetar, Chor Mottu, Kia, Kheba, Bhed, Marta and Joffar.
In Rajouri district, security forces launched a separate search in Gaibas, Mithiyani, Mogla and Narla after villagers reported the movement of two suspected armed persons believed to be terrorists. Officials said there has been no contact with any suspected persons so far.
- Location of initial sighting: Behrooti village, Balakote area, Mendhar sector, Poonch
- Flight path reported: Behrooti → Mangalnar-Dabrote side → back across the LoC
- Forces involved: Army, police and paramilitary units
- Search status: Ongoing at first light
Operational posture and public advisories
Officials said security forces along the border remained on heightened alert as searches continued. There was no official confirmation about any recovery of material or any damage to infrastructure or life linked to the drone's passage.
Residents of forward villages in Mendhar and adjoining sectors were urged to follow orders of security personnel and local administration while operations were underway. No official advisory on movement restrictions was issued at the time of reporting.
Context and local impact
Incidents involving suspected cross-border drones have drawn renewed scrutiny in recent years because of the potential use of small unmanned aerial systems to convey explosives, weapons or contraband into Indian territory. In addition to immediate security implications, such incursions cause anxiety among civilian populations in forward areas and often trigger preventive restrictions and enhanced patrolling.
The joint search operations in the Jammu region's forest belts also reflect security agencies' efforts to check for illicit infiltration or the landing of small platforms in rugged terrain. The reported searches spanned several hamlets and forest patches that are sparsely populated and logistically challenging.
Areas covered in joint searches
| District / Belt | Localities Searched |
|---|---|
| Udhampur-Kathua forest belt | Khuban, Nagain, Khtrail, Godu Falal, Padetar, Chor Mottu, Kia, Kheba, Bhed, Marta, Joffar |
| Rajouri | Gaibas, Mithiyani, Mogla, Narla |
Official position and next steps
Officials indicated the operation was continuing at the time of reporting, with troops and local security units conducting systematic searches for any material or persons linked to the drone sighting. Authorities are expected to assess any recovered items, if found, for forensic leads.
There was no immediate comment from central agencies on the origin of the drone. Security protocols at LoC forward areas include rapid reporting and coordinated checks by multiple formations, which officials said were being implemented in the ongoing sweep.
Further updates were likely as searches progressed and official assessments were completed.
Irfan Bhat is the Jammu and Kashmir correspondent reporting from the region.
