In a significant security operation, the Indian Army on Thursday intercepted a consignment suspected to have been airdropped by a drone from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The recovery included ammunition and a potential explosive device, highlighting ongoing threats along the frontier.
Details of the Drone Drop Recovery
According to officials, the incident occurred in the early morning hours in the Chakkan da Bagh area of Khari village, situated between Rangar Nallah and the Poonch River. Acting on vigilance, army personnel conducted a search operation and discovered a bag. The bag contained dozens of rounds of ammunition along with a yellow tiffin box, which security experts suspect to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
As a standard precaution, the area was secured and a bomb disposal squad was immediately called to the scene. The squad conducted a thorough assessment of the recovered items to rule out any immediate explosive threat. The swift action prevented any potential harm and the materials are now under forensic examination.
A Pattern of Cross-Border Drone Activity
This is not an isolated event. The recovery underscores a persistent pattern of using drones to smuggle weapons and contraband from Pakistan into Indian territory. In a related incident back in October, based on specific intelligence, security forces successfully thwarted a major drug smuggling attempt across the International Border (IB) in Jammu.
In that operation, forces recovered two bags dropped by a Pakistani drone containing more than five kilograms of high-grade heroin. The narcotics were estimated to have a staggering international market value of over ₹25 crore.
Continued Vigilance Against Infiltration
The drone threat coincides with continued attempts of physical infiltration by terrorists. Notably, on September 1, the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in the Mendhar sector of Poonch district. Alert troops of the White Knight Corps detected suspicious movement near the Balakot area around 5:30 am and opened fire, preventing the terrorists from crossing over.
This attempt occurred during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Jammu. Following the initial contact, a heavy exchange of fire ensued as army search teams closed in on the encounter site. The area was immediately cordoned off with reinforcements, and troops remain on high alert to ensure complete domination of the terrain.
The recovery of the drone-dropped consignment in Poonch, coupled with the recent infiltration bid, points to a concerted effort to destabilize the region. The Indian Army and security forces continue to maintain a robust counter-infiltration grid and are leveraging technology and intelligence to neutralize such threats effectively.
