Army officials said the first sighting occurred around 7 pm in the Dunga Gala area of the Chingus sector during routine surveillance. The drone was observed hovering inside Indian airspace before disappearing after troops responded. About 35 minutes later, two drone-like objects were again detected near Dhari Dhara village. Soldiers fired several rounds, after which the objects moved back across the LoC.
While no casualties or material damage were reported, security agencies have intensified surveillance along the LoC and the International Border. Officials fear that drones are increasingly being used for cross-border reconnaissance, infiltration attempts, and the delivery of arms and narcotics to terrorist networks operating in the region.
The latest incident follows multiple drone sightings reported on Sunday evening across several districts. Defence sources said five drones were seen almost simultaneously in the Nowshera and Dharamsal sectors of Rajouri, as well as in parts of Reasi, Samba, and the Mankot sector of Poonch. Troops responded with small arms fire in several locations, forcing the drones to retreat. No injuries were reported.
Earlier this month, on January 9, security forces recovered a consignment of weapons allegedly dropped by a Pakistani drone in Palura village of Samba district near the International Border. The cache included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition, and a grenade, reinforcing concerns over drone-assisted arms smuggling.
Officials said the renewed drone activity comes amid heightened vigilance ahead of Republic Day celebrations and in the backdrop of India’s ongoing counter-terror operations. The Army has further strengthened its air surveillance grid, including the deployment of additional anti-drone measures in vulnerable sectors.
The incidents also come months after Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7, 2025, in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted multiple terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. On Tuesday, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said the operation remains ongoing and warned that India is fully prepared to respond decisively to any infiltration or terror attempt.
Security agencies said investigations are underway to assess the purpose and origin of the latest drone sightings, even as border troops remain on high alert.
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