Rajouri (J&K): Suspected drone activity was reported for the second time within 48 hours in the Keri sector along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of the Jammu region, triggering heightened alert on the border, hours after the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi issued a stern warning to Pakistan against cross border provocations and ceasefire violations.
According to sources, alert Indian Army personnel deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) opened fire to target the suspected drones as soon as the activity was detected. The drones are suspected to have been sent from across the border, possibly for surveillance or other suspicious purposes. However, there has been no confirmation of any damage or infiltration so far.
Following the incident, security arrangements in the area were further strengthened. The Army and other security agencies have intensified surveillance across the region and stepped up search operations.
Recent drone sightings in J&K
Sources said that suspected drones were sighted at five locations over the past 48 hours, including areas in Rajouri, Poonch, Samba and Nowshera.
Since early January, several drone related incidents have been reported, with drones allegedly sent from Pakistan leading to the recovery of narcotics, arms and explosives.
When Exactly Did The Drones Surface Over J&K
Around 7 pm, troops fired upon a few Pakistani drones when they entered Indian territory over Dunga Gala in the Chingus area of Rajouri. The drones subsequently vanished and are believed to have retreated to the other side, officials said.
Officials noted that army personnel detected the movement of two drone-like objects over the forward Dheri Dhara village around 7.35 pm and fired several live rounds to target them.
However, the suspected drones moved toward Kalali before returning, officials said, adding that a search operation was initiated to ensure no weapons or narcotics were airdropped by the drones.
On Sunday, troops guarding the Nowshera sector fired medium and light machine guns after observing drone activity over Gania-Kalsian village.
Counter-terror ops underway
Meanwhile, large scale search operations are continuing across the Jammu region, from the Line of Control to areas near the International Border. These operations involve the Jammu and Kashmir Police SOG, CRPF, Border Security Force and the Indian Army.
Security has also been tightened ahead of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations. Patrolling has been increased in both rural and urban areas, checkpoints have been put on high alert, and security personnel are conducting questioning at key intersections.
Army chief warns Pakistan
Earlier on Tuesday, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi had warned Pakistan that it would get a fitting response for any misadventure. He also recalled the successes during Operation Sindoor, launched to target terror hubs in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, and said the operation was still on.
“This time, the action we took, especially the kind of firing that took place in Jammu and Kashmir, and the way we addressed it, and how we eliminated approximately 100 of their people – all that action was taken because we expanded the conventional space. In those 88 hours, you saw that the army’s mobilisation to expand the conventional space was such that if Pakistan made any mistake, we were fully prepared to launch ground operations,” he said.
Army ‘Fully Prepared’ as Operation Sindoor Continues
Addressing the Indian Army’s annual press conference, Gen Dwivedi said the armed forces had carried out major mobilisation during Operation Sindoor and remain ready for ground operations if Pakistan commits any “mistake.”
“We had done major mobilisation (during Operation Sindoor)… We are still fully prepared for ground offensives if Pakistan makes any mistake.”
He stressed that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing and that vigilance remains high.
“As far as our eyes and ears are concerned, because Operation Sindoor is still on, those eyes and ears will remain open. Under this, whatever action we have to take, we have already taken it forward.”
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