Pakistan drone spotted in J&K's Poonch LoC area, search op on
Synopsis
A suspected Pakistani drone flew over the LoC in J&K's Poonch district on Friday night, moved toward the Mangalnar-Dabrote belt, and returned to Pakistan — triggering a multi-district security response. With simultaneous search operations running across Udhampur, Kathua, and Rajouri forests, this signals a widening security challenge in the Jammu region's forested interior.
Key Takeaways
A suspected Pakistani drone was sighted over Behrooti village , Mendhar sector , Poonch , late Friday evening .
The drone moved toward Mangalnar-Dabrote near the border before returning to Pakistan, according to officials.
Army launched a search operation at first light on Saturday to check for dropped or carried material.
Parallel joint operations by Army , police , and paramilitary are underway in Udhampur , Kathua , and Rajouri forest belts.
Villagers in Rajouri alerted forces about two suspected armed individuals , prompting a separate search in Gaibas , Mithiyani , Mogla , and Narla .
No exchange of fire reported; security forces aim to deny militants a foothold in the region.
A suspected Pakistani drone was observed hovering over the forward area along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, late Friday evening, prompting the Indian Army to launch an immediate search operation at first light on Saturday, 29 August. Security forces remain on heightened alert as multiple concurrent operations unfold across the region's forested belt.
Where the Drone Was Spotted
According to officials, the drone was sighted over Behrooti village in the Balakote area of Mendhar sector. It was observed moving toward the Mangalnar-Dabrote side near the border before reportedly returning to Pakistan. Army troops guarding the LoC intensified surveillance immediately upon sighting the aircraft.
Search Operation Underway
The Army launched a ground search at first light to determine whether the drone had dropped or carried any suspicious material. 'The search operation is still underway, and the security forces remain on heightened alert along the border,' officials said. No suspicious material has been confirmed recovered as of the latest reports.
Parallel Operations in Udhampur, Kathua and Rajouri
Separately, a joint search operation involving police, Army, and paramilitary forces was launched across the vast forested districts of Udhampur, Kathua, and Rajouri following inputs about suspicious movement. The operation covered Khuban, Nagain, Khtrail, Godu Falal, Padetar, Chor Mottu, Kia, Kheba, Bhed, Marta, Joffar, and adjoining areas in the Udhampur-Kathua forest belt.
In Rajouri, a separate operation was launched in Gaibas, Mithiyani, Mogla, and Narla after villagers alerted forces about the movement of two suspected armed individuals, believed to be militants.
Broader Security Sweep Across J&K's Forest Zones
The densely forested districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Ramban, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Reasi are under active security scanner, with reported movement of militants between these areas. Officials noted that no exchange of fire has taken place so far during the current operations. The stated objective is to keep militants on the move and prevent them from establishing a foothold for attacks against civilians or security personnel.
This comes amid a broader pattern of cross-border drone activity and militant infiltration attempts along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, which has seen a surge in security operations through 2025.
Point of View
Drop weapons, and gather intelligence in Jammu and Kashmir. What is notable here is the simultaneity: a drone incursion in Poonch coinciding with suspected militant movement across at least three other districts suggests coordinated pressure rather than opportunistic probing. The security forces' strategy of keeping militants mobile — denying them a base — has tactical merit but also a cost: prolonged operations in dense forests without contact stretch resources and test local civilian patience. The real accountability question is whether drone detection infrastructure along the LoC is keeping pace with the growing sophistication of cross-border UAV activity.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the suspected Pakistani drone spotted in Jammu and Kashmir?
The drone was spotted over Behrooti village in the Balakote area of Mendhar sector, Poonch district, along the Line of Control. It was observed moving toward the Mangalnar-Dabrote side near the border before returning to Pakistan, according to officials.
What action did the Indian Army take after the drone sighting?
Army troops immediately intensified surveillance upon sighting the drone and launched a ground search operation at first light on Saturday to check whether the drone had dropped or carried any suspicious material. The operation was still underway as of the latest reports.
Are there other security operations running alongside the Poonch drone search?
Yes. Joint operations involving the Army, police, and paramilitary forces are simultaneously underway in the forested districts of Udhampur, Kathua, and Rajouri, following inputs about suspicious movement and a villager tip-off about two suspected armed individuals.
Has any suspicious material or militant contact been confirmed?
No suspicious material has been confirmed recovered, and no exchange of fire has been reported during the current operations, according to officials. Security forces remain on heightened alert across the region.
Why are J&K's forested districts under heightened security watch?
The densely forested districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Ramban, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Reasi have seen reported movement of militants between areas. Security forces are conducting operations to prevent militants from establishing a base to carry out attacks on civilians or personnel.
