Samba/Jammu: Security forces launched an extensive search operation along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district after spotting a suspected Pakistani drone near Chillyari village. According to reports, the unmanned aerial vehicle hovered briefly over Indian territory for about two minutes before retreating towards Pakistan, prompting heightened vigilance amid rising cross-border incursions.
Police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel responded swiftly, conducting thorough combing operations in the border villages and nearby areas to check for potential airdrops of arms, explosives, or narcotics—tactics frequently employed by Pakistani handlers. No suspicious items were found during initial scans, but forces maintained cordons and intensified night patrols using anti-drone systems and surveillance tech. This marks the second such sighting in 24 hours; on Friday, another drone was observed hovering near Ratanpur village in Samba’s Ramgarh sector, triggering similar alerts, as reported by Times of India,as reported by New Indian Express.
The incidents underscore escalating drone threats from across the border, with over half-a-dozen sightings reported in J&K since early January. Security officials link these to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) attempts to smuggle contraband and gather intelligence, especially post the May 2025 Indo-Pak clashes that featured heavy drone warfare. BSF troops fired at a suspected drone in Samba on Friday night, though it evaded capture, highlighting gaps in current countermeasures despite upgraded laser-based systems. as reported by New Indian Express.
Residents near the IB reported hearing buzzing sounds and alert sirens, with locals cooperating in searches. “We stay vigilant; these drones drop heroin and weapons to fuel unrest,” said a Chillyari villager. Army and CRPF reinforcements joined BSF, focusing on Ramgarh and Chillyari sectors vulnerable due to flat terrain ideal for smuggling, as reported by Republicworld.
Authorities vow zero tolerance, with J&K Police intensifying human intelligence along the 740-km Jammu-Pakistan frontier. Amid Budget session and regional elections, these provocations test India’s border security posture, prompting calls for advanced AI-driven drone defenses.
