Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have initiated a detailed probe after a suspicious pigeon, suspected to have flown from across the border, was captured in a forward village near the Line of Control (LoC). The incident occurred on Saturday in the sensitive Akhnoor sector, raising fresh concerns about unconventional espionage methods.
Bird with Coded Rings Sparks Alert
The unusual avian intruder was first spotted in Kharah Balli village by a vigilant 13-year-old boy. His parents promptly informed the local police, who took the bird into custody. Upon examination, authorities found the pale grey pigeon was not an ordinary bird.
The pigeon's legs bore distinctive red and yellow rings inscribed with critical details. The markings included the words "Rehmat Sarkar," a mobile number, a name, and a series of other numbers. Investigators are meticulously analyzing these coded inscriptions to decipher their meaning and intended recipient.
Wing Stamps Point to Pakistani Pigeon Club
Adding another layer of intrigue, the pigeon's wings carried a clear stamp. The stamp identified the bird as belonging to the "Nowshera Aling Pigeon Club." Nowshera is a district located in Pakistan, which strongly suggests the pigeon originated from across the border. This discovery has led security agencies to treat the matter with utmost seriousness, considering past instances where birds have been used for cross-border surveillance or message carrying.
Simultaneous Discovery of Suspected Drone
In a coincidental yet concerning parallel development on the same Saturday, residents of Gorkha Nagar in Jammu reported finding a mysterious object near a local drain (nallah). The object is suspected to be a drone. Police officials swiftly secured the area and took the object into their custody for a thorough technical examination.
The simultaneous occurrence of these two incidents—the capture of a marked pigeon and the recovery of a suspected drone—has heightened alertness among security personnel in the Jammu region. While the two events are not explicitly linked in the initial reports, their proximity in time and location is being noted.
Ongoing Investigations and Security Implications
Police and other security agencies are conducting a joint investigation into both matters. The primary focus regarding the pigeon is to establish whether it was involved in any espionage activity or was merely a lost racing bird. The coded numbers and the Pakistani club stamp are central to this inquiry.
Similarly, the object recovered from Gorkha Nagar is undergoing forensic analysis to confirm if it is indeed a drone, its origin, and its intended purpose. These incidents underscore the continuous and evolving security challenges faced along the LoC, where conventional and unconventional methods of intelligence gathering are constantly monitored and countered by Indian security forces.
