Jammu, January 1:
Security forces achieved a major breakthrough on the first day of the New Year by foilng a cross-border smuggling attempt in the Khari area of Poonch district. Following reports of a suspected drone movement near the Line of Control (LoC), alert troops recovered a lethal consignment consisting of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), ammunition, and a quantity of narcotics.
The recovery highlights the continued threat of “drone-terror” and the high state of vigilance maintained by Indian security agencies along the border.
According to official sources, the operation was triggered early Thursday morning when a suspected drone was spotted hovering near the Khari area.
A suspicious drone entered Indian airspace, reportedly flying for several minutes before returning across the border. Security forces immediately cordoned off the sector and launched a “massive search operation” to locate any dropped materials. During the intensive combing of the rugged terrain, troops discovered a packet containing the explosive device, various rounds of ammunition, and drugs.
While a full inventory is still being compiled, the preliminary recovery includes: IED (Improvised Explosive Device); Promptly secured to prevent any accidental detonation. Ammunition; Multiple rounds believed to be intended for local terror modules. Narcotics; A significant quantity of drugs, pointing toward the “Narco-Terror” nexus used to fund militancy in the region.
A Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was immediately summoned to the spot to handle the recovered IED. The area remains under tight security as forces continue to sweep the vicinity for any other potential drops or suspicious activity.
Authorities have noted that this incident follows a series of drone sightings in the Poonch and Mendhar sectors over the last few days, indicating a concerted effort from across the border to pump in weapons and contraband during the winter months.
