Indian security forces are on high alert after multiple suspected Pakistani drones breached airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir for the second time in 48 hours. The incursions, spotted in sensitive areas like Poonch, Samba, Rajouri, and Nowshera, mark a sharp uptick in activity since early this month.

Authorities report these are not attack drones but smaller reconnaissance models flying low to evade detection, testing gaps in India's air defense grid. Troops activated anti-drone systems overnight Thursday, successfully neutralizing threats and launching search operations. No casualties or damage occurred, but the pattern echoes post-Operation Sindoor tactics from mid-2025.

Military analysts describe this as a deliberate "recce push" to map Indian positions ahead of Republic Day on January 26. Drones scout radar coverage and response times in hilly terrain where ground intel falters, potentially prepping for militant arms drops or signaling amid Pakistan's internal strains. Experts like Sumit Raj highlight parallels to 2024 flare-ups, where similar probes gauged India's strike readiness. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently flagged active terror camps across the border, adding urgency as forces bolster laser jammers and AI countermeasures.

Over 10-12 sightings unfolded in the past week, building on a cycle of tit-for-tat drone wars. Pakistan routinely denies involvement, but footage and intercepts paint a different picture. Past episodes tightened border mobility, stranding locals and travelers. This comes as India advances drone swarm tech, inspired by systems like Israel's Iron Dome, to counter low-cost threats. De-escalation channels from late 2025 offer hope, but vigilance remains key to averting broader clashes between the rivals.