Northern Command chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma reviews LoC security in Rajouri
Synopsis
The head of the Indian Army's Northern Command personally visited the Sunderbani Sector on the LoC in Rajouri — a belt under persistent cross-border pressure — to assess troop readiness and push for faster adoption of anti-drone technology. The visit signals that despite a reported drop in drone incursions, the Army is treating the threat as far from over.
Key Takeaways
Lt Gen Pratik Sharma , GoC-in-C of the Northern Command , reviewed LoC security in Rajouri's Sunderbani Sector on 20 May 2025 .
He interacted with Army and BSF personnel, commending their resilience and urging rapid adoption of emerging technologies.
Jammu and Kashmir's LoC spans approximately 740 km ; the International Border stretches 240 km .
Drones are used by terror outfits, reportedly aided by Pakistani forces, to smuggle arms, drugs, and cash across the border.
Hi-tech anti-drone systems have led to a significant decrease in drone activity, though occasional sightings continue.
Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) of the Indian Army's Northern Command, on Wednesday, 20 May conducted a comprehensive review of the security situation and operational preparedness of forward troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir. The visit, centred on the Sunderbani Sector, underscores the Army's continued focus on border vigilance amid persistent cross-border threats.
What the Review Covered
The Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command confirmed the visit, stating that Lt Gen Sharma 'reviewed the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness of the forward areas of Sunderbani Sector along the LoC.' During the visit, he interacted with troops, including personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), commending them for their 'battle-hardened resilience, indomitable courage and unwavering commitment to duty.' He also urged all ranks to accelerate the absorption of emerging technologies to remain combat-ready.
The Strategic Significance of the LoC in Jammu Division
Jammu and Kashmir's LoC stretches approximately 740 km, running through Rajouri, Poonch, and parts of Jammu district in the Jammu division, and through Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara in the Kashmir Valley. Separately, the 240-km-long International Border — guarded by the BSF — runs through Samba, Kathua, and Jammu districts. Together, the two forces form the primary barrier against infiltration, exfiltration, drug smuggling, and drone-borne consignments originating from across the border.
The Drone Threat and Counter-Measures
Drones have emerged as a key instrument used by terror outfits operating from across the border, reportedly with the assistance of Pakistani forces, to deliver arms, ammunition, cash, and narcotics into Jammu and Kashmir. These consignments are subsequently retrieved by overground workers (OGWs) of terror groups and passed on to active operatives. In response, both the Army and the BSF have deployed specialised anti-drone equipment along the LoC and the International Border.
According to officials, there has been a significant decrease in drone activity following the induction of hi-tech counter-drone systems. Occasional drone sightings, however, continue to be reported, indicating that the threat has not been fully neutralised.
Broader Context
Lt Gen Sharma's review comes at a time of heightened security consciousness across Jammu and Kashmir, with the Army maintaining a forward-leaning posture in the Rajouri-Poonch belt — a corridor that has historically seen elevated militant activity. The emphasis on technology absorption signals a deliberate shift in the Army's border management doctrine: supplementing human vigilance with electronic and sensor-based surveillance. All eyes will remain on whether the current operational tempo translates into a sustained reduction in cross-border incidents in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
And the emphasis on 'rapid technology absorption' suggests the Army acknowledges that boots-on-ground alone are insufficient. The reported drop in drone activity is encouraging, but the persistence of occasional sightings means the counter-drone architecture is containing rather than eliminating the threat. Whether the push for technology integration at the forward-area level translates into measurable outcomes — fewer breaches, faster intercepts — is the question that will define this command's tenure on the LoC.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Northern Command chief visit Rajouri's Sunderbani Sector?
Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited to review the security situation and operational preparedness of troops along the Line of Control in Rajouri's Sunderbani Sector on 20 May 2025. The visit also included interaction with Army and BSF personnel to assess readiness and encourage technology adoption.
What is the role of the Army and BSF along the LoC and International Border?
The Indian Army is deployed along the 740-km Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent infiltration and cross-border threats, while the BSF guards the 240-km International Border. Both forces also work to counter drone activity, drug smuggling, and exfiltration.
How serious is the drone threat along the Jammu and Kashmir border?
Drones are used by terror outfits, reportedly with Pakistani forces' assistance, to drop arms, ammunition, cash, and drugs into Jammu and Kashmir for retrieval by overground workers. While hi-tech anti-drone systems have significantly reduced such activity, occasional drone sightings continue to be reported.
What technology is being used to counter drone threats?
Both the Army and the BSF have deployed specialised anti-drone equipment along the LoC and the International Border. Officials say this has led to a significant decrease in drone activity, and the Northern Command chief has urged troops to accelerate absorption of emerging counter-drone technologies.
Which areas does the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir pass through?
The LoC in Jammu and Kashmir spans approximately 740 km, covering Rajouri, Poonch, and parts of Jammu district in the Jammu division, and Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara in the Kashmir Valley.
