High Alert in J&K : Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were placed on high alert on Sunday evening after several suspected Pakistani drones were seen flying near the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Officials said the drones crossed briefly into Indian airspace, stayed for a few minutes, and then returned to Pakistan’s side. After the sightings, troops launched intensive ground searches to make sure no weapons, explosives, or illegal items had been dropped.
High Alert in J&K : Indian Army Forced Back Pakistan Drones
Defence sources confirmed that Indian forces acted immediately after spotting the drones.
“A few Pakistan Army drones were sighted along the line of control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army troops undertook counter-unmanned aerial systems measures, forcing them to return,” ANI reported quoting defence sources. The Army used anti-drone systems to block the flying objects and stop any possible threat.
Why Are Pakistan Drones Flying Over Jammu and Kashmir?
Officials said the exact reason for the sudden rise in drone activity is still not known, but investigators are examining whether the drones were carrying out surveillance, dropping weapons, or trying to test India’s border security.
The incidents come at a sensitive time, especially after Operation Sindoor launched in May 2025, which targeted terror camps across the border, and this spike in drone sightings has created fresh security concerns.
High Alert in J&K : Indian Army Fires After Multiple suspected Pakistani drones Movement Observed
According to defence officials, a suspected drone-like object was first spotted moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector of Poonch at around 6.25 pm. About ten minutes later, another drone was seen over Khabbar village in Teryath, Rajouri, with a blinking light noticed moving from Dharmsal village in Kalakote towards Bharakh.
A third drone-like object, also flashing a blinking light, was observed hovering for a few minutes over Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector of Samba at around 7.15 pm.
Following these sightings, the Army and other security forces activated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (Counter-UAS) measures, after which the suspected drones were seen retreating back across the border. Search operations are now underway in all the areas where the drones were detected.
Indian Army opens fire on Pakistani drones in Nowshera sector of Rajouri Line of Control.#IndianArmy #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/6Jzjin4XMb
— Intelligence Bureau (@IB_INDIA_) January 12, 2026
Earlier in the day, security forces had also launched a large-scale search in the Kanachak area near the International Border after intelligence agencies intercepted satellite phone communication by suspected terrorists. Officials said the call was traced to a satellite device, raising further security concerns.
Recent Pakistan Drone Arms Drop Raises Alarm
These new drone sightings come just days after security forces recovered a weapons consignment dropped by a Pakistan-origin drone in Paloora village of Ghagwal near the International Border in Samba.
According to ANI, the seized items included:
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A made-in-China 9mm pistol with two magazines
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A Glock 9mm pistol with one magazine
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A Chinese hand grenade marked SPL HGR 84
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Sixteen live 9mm rounds
This recovery has increased fears that Pakistan is using drones to smuggle arms into Jammu and Kashmir to support militant activities. Meanwhile, border surveillance and anti-drone systems remain on maximum alert across Jammu and Kashmir.