Heightened vigilance is in effect along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir following the sighting of suspected Pakistani drones. This marks the second instance of such activity within 48 hours, prompting security forces to launch extensive search operations.
On Sunday evening, January 11, 2026, multiple unmanned aerial objects originating from the Pakistan side were detected hovering over forward areas in the Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. According to officials, the drones briefly entered Indian airspace before retreating back towards Pakistan. The Indian Army responded by undertaking counter-unmanned aerial system measures, which forced the drones to return.
Troops guarding the Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri fired at a drone moving over Gania-Kalsian village around 6:35 pm with medium and light machine guns. Another drone was spotted at Khabbar village in Teryath, Rajouri district, around the same time. The object, which had a blinking light, appeared to come from Dharmsal village in Kalakote and moved towards Bharakh. In Samba district, a drone-like object with blinking lights hovered over Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector for several minutes around 7:15 pm. A similar object was observed moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector of Poonch district at approximately 6:25 pm.
In response to these sightings, the Army and allied security agencies have initiated ground search operations to check for any suspicious materials or payloads that might have been dropped by the drones. Authorities have increased the alert level across the border regions, deploying coordinated search and surveillance to prevent the introduction of contraband or weaponry into Indian territory.
These recent drone sightings follow the recovery of an arms consignment in Paloora village near the IB in Samba district on Friday night. The recovered cache allegedly dropped by a drone from Pakistan, included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition, and a grenade.
A local source reported "extensive firing" by the Indian Army in the Jangarh and Kalal areas around 7:28 pm on Sunday, praising the army's prompt response. Security measures in the Samba district have been intensified in light of the recent drone activity.
