Multiple suspected Pakistan-origin drones were sighted along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu & Kashmir for the second time within 48 hours, sparking a strong response from the Indian Army and renewed diplomatic warnings to Pakistan.
Security forces fired upon the aerial objects and launched ground search operations after drones hovered over forward villages in Rajouri, Samba and Poonch districts, officials said. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has urged Pakistan to halt such incursions, describing them as “unacceptable” and raising the issue at military talks, even as broader tensions persist following last year’s cross-border clashes and Operation Sindoor. Both India and Pakistan have provided conflicting statements about responsibility.
Fresh Drone Sightings Along LoC
Security forces in Jammu & Kashmir detected multiple low-flying drones approaching from across the LoC on Tuesday evening, prompting immediate counter-measures and defensive fire from Indian Army units.
According to defence sources, the first drone was observed entering Indian airspace on Jan 13 around 7.30 pm, followed by at least four more sightings in the Keri sector of Rajouri district, officials said. Troops fired tracer and small-arms rounds to deter the objects, which are believed to have quickly retreated back across the LoC.
The heightened activity came just days after suspected drones were seen hovering over forward areas along both the LoC and the IB in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch, with ground search operations launched to investigate possible weapons drops or reconnaissance missions.
In one earlier case, security forces recovered an arms consignment including pistols, magazines, rounds and a grenade allegedly dropped by a drone near Paloora village in Samba district.
Soldiers stationed in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district opened fire with medium and light machine guns on observing drone movement over villages including Gania-Kalsian and Khabbar, while similar hovering objects with blinking lights were reported in the Ramgarh sector in Samba and the Mankote area in Poonch.
These repeated sightings reflect a pattern of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) approaching Indian territory, heightening alertness across sensitive border sectors.
Local residents in these districts reported increased gunfire from security posts during evening hours, while troops continued intensive search operations on the ground to ensure no contraband or hostile material remained after the aerial incursions.
Army Chief’s Warning and Diplomatic Exchange
In response to the escalating drone activity, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi delivered a stern warning to Pakistan, describing the incursions as “unacceptable” and stressing that New Delhi has formally conveyed its concerns at the highest military levels.
According to officials, India raised the issue during a Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level meeting, urging Pakistan to control and prevent further drone intrusions along the LoC.
General Dwivedi characterised the drones as small, low-flying devices possibly used for reconnaissance or probing Indian defences, and said India’s border surveillance apparatus was robust with no exploitable gaps. “They must have received a negative response,” he stated, emphasising that no successful infiltration has occurred through these aerial vehicles.
The Army Chief also reaffirmed that overall security in Jammu & Kashmir remains sensitive but firmly under control, even as Pakistan continues to host active terror camps along the LoC and IB regions. Recent statements suggest that eight such camps remain operational across the border, according to India’s assessment, underscoring ongoing security challenges.
Pakistan, for its part, has categorically rejected the allegations of drone intrusions, describing them as “provocative and baseless”, and dismissed claims of involvement in cross-border aerial activity. Islamabad maintains that it is committed to peace and denies any state-sanctioned incursions.
Wider Border Tensions and Past Clashes
The recent drone sightings occur against a backdrop of longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly over the disputed Kashmir region. Last year, a serious escalation erupted following a terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam, which India attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups.
This led to ‘Operation Sindoor’ a series of precision strikes carried out by Indian armed forces targeting terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistani territory in May 2025 and subsequent exchanges of fire and air actions before an uneasy ceasefire was agreed.
Despite this ceasefire, periodic skirmishes, small-arms firing, and aerial incursions have kept the border volatile, with both sides accusing the other of ceasefire violations and destabilising actions. Security analysts have noted an increased use of unmanned aerial systems by militant networks and other actors, exploiting technological advances and contested airspace along the loosely demarcated LoC.
The discovery of arms and communications devices, such as a satellite phone near the border, has also added to concerns about potential infiltration and logistical support for militant activity.
India’s defensive posture now incorporates both kinetic measures such as firing upon drones and advanced counter-drone systems capable of detecting, jamming, or neutralising unmanned threats, reflecting evolving security dynamics along the frontier.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While national sovereignty and the safety of citizens are paramount, the recurrence of drone incursions and defensive responses highlights the fragility of peace along the LoC and the urgent need for sustained diplomatic engagement.
The Logical Indian believes that military readiness must be paired with meaningful dialogue and confidence-building measures to reduce misunderstandings and avoid inadvertent escalation that could jeopardise civilian lives on both sides. Unilateral actions, especially in contested regions, often perpetuate cycles of mistrust.
