Pakistani drone spotted over Poonch, prompting heightened LoC security measures

Army sources reported that a Pakistani drone entered Indian airspace over the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir at approximately 8:05 pm on Friday, hovering near Behrooti village in the Balakote area of the Mendhar sector. The UAV then flew toward the Mangalnar-Dabrote axis before retreating back to Pakistan, prompting the 22 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles to record the breach and place the entire forward sector under intensified aerial and ground surveillance.

Security personnel began a search operation at first light to detect any possible delivery of weapons or explosives. The incident follows several recent drone sightings along the India-Pakistan border, including earlier reports in Kathua, Rajouri and earlier this month in Balakote where troops opened fire on a similar craft. Concurrently, Indian defence analysts noted a recent surge in Turkish military transport flights to Pakistani bases, sparking speculation about possible delivery of equipment, though no confirmation has been offered. Additional search efforts are underway in forested districts such as Udhampur, Kathua and Rajouri based on tips of suspicious movement.