Search operation launched in Samba after suspected Pakistan drone sighting

Security forces on Saturday launched a search operation along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district after a drone, suspected to have originated from Pakistan, was sighted hovering over Indian territory, officials said.

The drone was seen near Chillyari village , where it hovered briefly along the IB before returning towards Pakistan after a few minutes. Following the incident, police and other security agencies carried out a coordinated search in the village and surrounding areas to ascertain whether the drone had dropped any weapons, explosives or narcotics.

Officials said multiple locations along the border belt were thoroughly scanned as a precautionary measure. No recovery was reported till the filing of this report.

The incident comes a day after a similar suspected drone intrusion was reported in Ratanpur village of the Ramgarh sector in Samba district, where a drone briefly entered Indian airspace before retreating.

Security agencies have maintained heightened vigil along the International Border in Samba and adjoining areas amid repeated drone sightings, which are often suspected to be used for surveillance or cross-border smuggling of arms and contraband.