Jammu: Security forces picked up movement of suspected drones in several forward areas along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, officials said.
All the flying objects came from the Pakistan side, and returned after hovering over Indian territory for a few minutes, they said.
According to officials, security forces have launched a search operation on the ground after noticing the suspected drone activity in the forward areas.
Army troops guarding the Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri, fired from medium and light machine guns on observing drone movement over Gania-Kalsian village around 6.35 pm, they said.
Another drone was noticed at Khabbar village in Teryath in Rajouri district at 6.35 pm. The flying object, with blinking light, came from the direction of Dharmsal village in Kalakote and moved further towards Bharakh, officials said.
A drone-like object with blinking light was also seen hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in Ramgarh sector of Samba around 7.15 pm, they said.
Another drone-like object was seen moving from the direction of Tain towards Topa in Mankote sector, located along the LoC, in Poonch district at 6.25 pm.
On Friday night, security forces recovered an arms consignment, allegedly dropped by a drone that originated in Pakistan, in Paloora village of Ghagwal near the IB in Samba district. The recovery included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade, they added.
Search operation launched near IB in Jammu
Security forces on Sunday launched a massive search operation after intelligence agencies picked up a satellite phone communication in Kanachak area near the International Border here, officials said.
“The communication by suspected terrorists was traced to a Thuraya Satellite device, prompting a joint search operation by the Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and the Army,” the officials said.
Kanachak, located on the outskirts of Jammu, is just one kilometre from the International Border, and has earlier been used by terrorists as an infiltration route from across the border.
The whole area has been cordoned off and a massive search operation is underway, the officials said.
Security forces have also intensified search and cordon operations across Jammu, including the high altitude areas, to track down and neutralise nearly three dozen terrorists who are believed to be operating in the region, they said.
Officials said the intensified operations are part of the steps taken by the security agencies to ensure peaceful celebrations during the upcoming Republic Day.
Security forces conduct cordon and search ops in Anantnag
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) at Anantnag town of south Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.
The operation is being conducted at Danter in Janglat Mandi area of Anantnag, following inputs about the presence of anti-national elements in the area, they said.
Officials said this is the second such operation in the south Kashmir town, after security forces conducted a similar cordon and search on Saturday.
