Drone sightings and terror alerts ahead of Republic Day, central team reviews security in J&K

This was the second instance in the past three days of Pakistani drones being sighted hovering over Indian territory at multiple places. On Sunday, Army troops had opened fire to shoot down drones seen hovering over Kalsian village near the LoC in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. Similar flying objects were also sighted the same day over Kalakote’s Teryath area, Mankote in Poonch district and the Ramgarh sector of Samba district, prompting alerts and searches along the LoC and the international border to check any drone dropping.

Earlier, security forces had recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition dropped by a Pakistani drone near the international border in Samba district. The seized consignment contained two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade.

While security agencies are yet to make an official statement on the increased drone sightings and seizure of balloons in border areas, as well as reports of terrorist movement in the hinterland of Jammu province, sources admitted there has been a spurt in such suspicious activities across Jammu province since January 10. India has lodged a protest with Pakistan over the increased drone intrusions.

Officials said it is too early to determine the exact motive behind these intrusions, but the activities have caused some concern ahead of Republic Day celebrations. They also referred to the seizure of aeroplane-shaped Pakistani balloons from various places.

To take stock of the situation, Home Secretary Govind Mohan arrived here Wednesday afternoon on a two-day visit to the UT, accompanied by senior officers from the BSF, CRPF and intelligence agencies, including Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, RAW chief Parag Jain, BSF Director General Praveen Kumar and CRPF chief G P Singh.

The Home Secretary chaired a high-level security review meeting at the Convention Centre, attended by senior officers from security forces, police and intelligence agencies in J&K, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat. The meeting reviewed the ground situation and security arrangements for Republic Day, including increased drone sightings, possible infiltration attempts under dense fog and terrorist movement in the hinterland.

Officials said security forces and police have launched massive search and combing operations across Jammu province. Meanwhile, citing security concerns, the civil administration has imposed a two-month ban on adventure activities such as trekking, camping and hiking in high-altitude forest areas of the Pir Panjal range. Similar restrictions remain in place in the Danwass forests of Tangmarg near Gulmarg.

The UT administration has also banned the use of VPN services in several districts for two months, citing security threats and misuse by anti-social and anti-national elements. Officials said police have booked several people for violating the ban.