Indian Army personnel foiled an infiltration attempt by a drone along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district early Sunday, detecting and repulsing several quadcopters that briefly crossed into Indian airspace before retreating under a counter-drone operation, officials said.
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The episode, which took place shortly after dawn, highlights the growing use of unmanned aerial systems along the disputed border and has sparked renewed vigilance among security forces deployed in forward positions.
Early morning detection triggers a quick counter-drone response
According to officials, units stationed in the sensitive Poonch sector detected suspicious air movement between 5:45 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. where two to three small quadcopters attempted to breach Indian airspace.
Ground forces immediately activated anti-drone measures and forced the aircraft to disengage and return across the Line of Control.
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“In the early hours today, between 5:45 am and 6:00 am, 2-3 small quadcopters attempted to violate the airspace along the Line of Control in the Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir. Prompt counter-drone action by vigilant Indian Army personnel successfully thwarted the attempt and forced the quadcopters to return,” the Indian Army said.
Authorities have not officially disclosed the origin of the drones.
The soldiers open fire as the drone hovers over the Digwar area
During the same window of the incident, an unmanned aerial vehicle briefly entered the Indian side near the Digwar area, prompting troops to occupy a forward post to open fire.
Officials said soldiers detected the drone around 6:10 a.m. and fired more than a dozen rounds in an attempt to shoot it down. However, after a short hover, the drone evaded fire and returned towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The firing was part of standard protocol for the military to intervene when aerial intrusions are detected in sensitive border zones.
A search operation was launched to rule out dropping weapons or narcotics
After the intrusion attempt, security forces launched a search operation in nearby areas to ensure no weapons, explosives or narcotics were dropped during the drone’s brief presence.
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Officials said no suspicious material has been found so far.
Drone incursions along the ceasefire line have previously been linked to cross-border smuggling operations, particularly arms and narcotics, leading to increased monitoring in vulnerable sectors.
The second drone sighting in three days keeps forces on high alert
Sunday’s incident was the second time in three days that troops in the Poonch sector opened fire after detecting the movement of drones from across the border. On February 27, troops similarly attacked a suspected Pakistani drone in the same area.
The recurrence of such incidents has kept security forces on high alert, reflecting the evolving security challenge as low-flying quadcopters are increasingly seen in cross-border activities.
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Military officials say the small drones pose operational difficulties because of their size, maneuverability and limited radar visibility, requiring a quick ground response rather than traditional air defense systems.
As tensions along the ceasefire line remain sensitive, authorities continue to strengthen surveillance and counter-drone capabilities to prevent future incursions.
