Pakistani drones sighted in J&K; search ops in Rajouri and Samba
Synopsis
Suspected Pakistani drones were spotted overnight at two forward locations in J&K — Nandpur in Samba and Tarkundi-Saaj in Rajouri — triggering joint Army-BSF search operations that stretched through Monday evening. With a 51-mm mortar shell also recovered in Rajouri the same weekend, the incidents point to a sharp uptick in cross-border threats that security agencies are scrambling to contain.
Key Takeaways
Suspected Pakistani drones were sighted overnight on 27 July near the LoC in Rajouri (Tarkundi-Saaj) and the IB in Samba (Nandpur), Jammu and Kashmir.
Joint search operations by the Indian Army , BSF , police, and other agencies were launched on Monday morning and continued through the evening.
No recovery of narcotics, weapons, or arrests had been reported as of Monday evening.
Officials noted a noticeable surge in drone activity along the border over the past week, especially in Samba and Kathua districts.
A 51-mm mortar shell was separately found in Kayan village, Rajouri on Sunday and destroyed in a controlled explosion by Rashtriya Rifles and a bomb disposal team.
Security forces on Monday, 27 July launched search operations across several forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district and the International Border (IB) in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, after suspected Pakistani drones were sighted overnight in both sectors.
Where the Drones Were Spotted
According to officials, drone activity was observed by alert army troops at two specific locations: Nandpur, near the IB in Samba, and Tarkundi-Saaj, near the LoC in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri. Both areas were immediately placed under heightened surveillance following the overnight sightings.
The Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF), assisted by the police and other security agencies, launched joint search operations on Monday morning to determine whether any narcotics or weapons had been air-dropped by the suspected drones. According to officials, the searches were continuing till Monday evening, with no recovery or arrest reported as of the latest update.
Surge in Drone Activity Along the Border
The latest incidents are part of a pattern of intensifying drone activity in J&K's border districts. Officials noted a noticeable spike in such sightings over the past week, particularly in Samba and Kathua districts. Security agencies have responded by stepping up surveillance and deploying anti-drone measures in vulnerable forward areas amid concerns over attempts to smuggle arms and narcotics, or to facilitate infiltration across the border.
This is not an isolated episode — drone-based smuggling and reconnaissance attempts along the J&K border have been reported with increasing frequency in recent months, straining security resources and prompting calls for upgraded counter-drone technology.
51-mm Mortar Shell Recovered in Rajouri
Separately, a 51-mm mortar shell was discovered on Sunday in an open field by farmers in Kayan village in the Rajdhani area of Rajouri district, around 4 pm. On receiving information, Rashtriya Rifles troops, along with a bomb disposal team, rushed to the site and recovered the shell. It was subsequently destroyed in a controlled explosion by the bomb disposal squad, with officials confirming there was no collateral damage.
Security Roles Along the Border
The Indian Army is responsible for guarding the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, while the BSF secures the International Border. The dual-agency response to Monday's drone sightings underscores the coordinated approach security forces have adopted as cross-border drone threats evolve in sophistication and frequency.
With search operations ongoing and no recoveries confirmed yet, security agencies are expected to maintain elevated alert levels across the Rajouri and Samba sectors in the coming days.
Point of View
Yet India's counter-drone infrastructure remains a patchwork of surveillance upgrades and reactive search operations. The absence of any recovery so far does not mean the threat was neutralised — it may simply mean the drop occurred before troops arrived. The harder question, which Monday's joint operation does not answer, is whether real-time intercept capability has kept pace with the growing sophistication of drone payloads being used for arms and narcotics runs.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the Pakistani drones sighted in J&K on 27 July?
Suspected Pakistani drones were sighted at two locations: Nandpur, near the International Border in Samba district, and Tarkundi-Saaj, near the Line of Control in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. Both areas were placed under heightened surveillance immediately after the overnight sightings.
What are security forces searching for in Rajouri and Samba?
Army and BSF troops, assisted by police and other agencies, are conducting searches to determine whether the suspected drones air-dropped narcotics or weapons into the forward areas. As of Monday evening, no such recoveries or arrests had been reported.
What is the significance of the mortar shell found in Rajouri?
A 51-mm mortar shell was discovered by farmers in Kayan village in Rajouri's Rajdhani area on Sunday. Rashtriya Rifles troops and a bomb disposal team recovered and safely destroyed it in a controlled explosion, with no collateral damage. The find adds to broader security concerns in the region.
Why has drone activity increased along the J&K border?
Officials have noted a marked increase in drone sightings along the J&K border over the past week, particularly in Samba and Kathua districts. Security agencies believe the drones are being used to smuggle arms and narcotics or to facilitate infiltration, prompting intensified anti-drone measures in vulnerable areas.
Who is responsible for guarding the LoC and International Border in J&K?
The Indian Army guards the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, while the Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for securing the International Border. Both agencies are jointly conducting the current search operations.
