JAMMU, JAN 14: Indian Army troops opened fire to neutralize multiple suspected Pakistani drones that intruded across the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district on Tuesday evening, marking the second such incident in three days.
Drones briefly hovered in the Manjakote sector before retreating to Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK). Defence sources said counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) measures were activated.
Around 7 pm, troops targeted drones entering over Dunga Gala in Chingus area; they vanished soon after. At 7.35 pm, two drone-like objects were spotted over forward Dheri Dhara village, prompting live rounds — they moved toward Kalali before returning.
A search operation was launched to check for any airdropped weapons or narcotics. On Sunday, similar drone activity was fired upon in Nowshera sector over Gania-Kalsian village, and detections occurred in Teryath, Kalakote, Mankote (Poonch), and Samba’s Ramgarh — all retreated quickly.
Friday night saw recovery of a drone-dropped arms consignment in Samba’s Paloora village: two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds, and a grenade.
Kathua Forest Ops
Meanwhile, security forces launched a search in Najote forests of Billawar tehsil, Kathua district, after locals reported suspected terrorist movement — about 10 km from January 7’s Kamadah Nallah encounter site.
Gunshots echoed Tuesday afternoon as forces moved in; terrorists fired briefly and security retaliated, strengthening the cordon to track them down.
On January 7, ultras escaped an encounter in Kahog amid darkness, terrain, and dense forests. Anti-terror ops have intensified across Jammu’s mountains and forests ahead of Republic Day.
