Jammu and Kashmir security forces are on high alert after reports of several suspected drones from Pakistan hovering over sensitive border areas late Sunday evening. Troops launched immediate search operations across key districts to hunt for any potential arms drops or surveillance gear, amid rising concerns over cross-border threats.

The intrusions began around 6:25 pm on January 11, 2026, with at least five drone sightings tracked along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). Locations included Gania-Kalsian village in Rajouri's Nowshera sector, Samba, and Poonch districts—drones briefly crossed into Indian airspace, flashing lights before retreating within minutes. Army personnel responded swiftly, firing machine guns at one in Rajouri, though no confirmed impacts were reported.

Joint teams from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary units fanned out into forward villages for thorough ground searches, focusing on possible contraband like weapons or drugs. No suspicious items have been recovered yet, but patrols intensified to prevent further breaches. Officials stressed that such rapid responses follow established protocols honed from prior incidents.

These drone activities echo a pattern of escalating incursions since 2023, often linked to smuggling networks exploiting affordable tech for reconnaissance or illicit payloads. A similar October 2025 event in Samba uncovered weapon caches, highlighting the stakes in this volatile region. As India bolsters anti-drone defenses like laser jammers along the border, events like this underscore the ongoing cat-and-mouse game with adversaries. Updates expected as operations continue.