Suspected Pakistani drones spotted along LoC in Rajouri, Army on high alert

Suspected Pakistani drones were sighted along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Tuesday, prompting security forces to maintain high alert.

According to sources cited by News18, several drone-like objects were first seen hovering over Dheri Dhara village near the Keri sector around 7:35 pm before moving towards Kalali village. Security agencies opened fire and activated counter-drone measures, after which the objects were observed returning across the border. Monitoring along the LoC has been intensified.

Separately, another suspected drone was spotted in the Thandi Kassi area of Rajouri, prompting authorities to raise alerts. Security forces have launched search operations near the LoC in Rajouri and neighbouring Poonch districts.

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Encounter in Kathua

Earlier on Tuesday, an encounter broke out between security forces and suspected militants in Kathua district. Gunfire was reported after forces launched a search operation based on intelligence about militant movement in a remote village.

Officials said intermittent firing came from the Najote forest area of Billawar, about 10 km from the Kamadh nallah in the Kahog forest belt, where a similar exchange occurred on January 7. Suspected militants fired upon observing security forces, who retaliated while moving deeper into the forest. The cordon-and-search operation has been strengthened, and efforts are ongoing to track the militants.

Pattern of recent drone sightings

On January 12, multiple suspected drone-like objects were reported along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. A drone was seen moving from Tain towards Topa in Poonch district at 6:25 pm, while another appeared at Khabbar village in Teryath, Rajouri, at 6:35 pm. A blinking light was also reported from Dharmsal village in Kalakote towards Bharakh. Army and security forces deployed Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (Counter-UAS) measures, after which the drones returned across the border.

The latest sightings come just two days after security forces were put on high alert on Sunday evening following multiple suspected Pakistani drone movements along the IB and LoC in Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. Officials said at least five drone movements were observed in forward areas, triggering ground searches to rule out the possibility of arms or contraband being dropped on Indian soil. The objects were seen entering Indian airspace, hovering briefly over sensitive locations, and retreating toward Pakistan.

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Army warns Pakistan

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said India had conveyed a clear warning to Pakistan over the recent UAV sightings, describing such activity as “not acceptable.” Speaking at his annual press conference, he said Director General of Military Operations-level talks were held with Pakistan on Tuesday, during which India raised concerns over the drone movements. “We have told Pakistan to rein in its drones,” he said, adding that the Army remains fully alert and prepared for any misadventure.

Western front remains on edge

General Dwivedi said the western front continues to demand close attention following the Pahalgam attack. Indian forces recalibrated their posture through a swift “reset strategy,” with Operation Sindoor carried out with precision and still ongoing.

“Terrorist-initiated activities have reduced, but Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism,” the Army chief said, warning that any future misadventure would be dealt with effectively.