Multiple Drones Reported In J&K’s Keri Sector Along LOC, Second Time In 48 Hours

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been placed on high alert after suspected Pakistani drones were seen hovering close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district on Tuesday evening again after 48 hours. The fresh incident has once again raised concerns about cross-border surveillance and potential infiltration attempts from across the border.

Drones Seen Near Villages Close to the Border

According to security sources, two drone-like flying objects were sighted around 7:35 p.m. in Dheri Dhara village, located near the Keri sector of Rajouri. A short while later, the objects were spotted moving toward Kalali village, prompting immediate action from security personnel stationed in the area.

Troops opened fire upon detecting the drones and activated counter-drone systems to neutralise any threat. Following the sighting, vigilance and monitoring along the LoC have been significantly intensified, with additional patrols and night surveillance measures now in place.

Officials suspect the drones were sent from across the border in Pakistan for reconnaissance or smuggling purposes, though a detailed investigation is still underway.

Encounter in Kathua Adds to Security Concerns

The drone incident occurred on the same day as an ongoing encounter between terrorists and security forces in the Najote forest area of Billawar in Kathua district. The gunfight broke out after troops launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs about the movement of two to three terrorists hiding in the dense forest region.

Officials reported intermittent firing from both sides as forces moved deeper into the forest to track down the militants. The cordon-and-search operation was further strengthened, with reinforcements sent to the area to ensure that the suspects could not escape.

This comes just days after a similar gunfight in the same forest belt on January 7, where security personnel exchanged heavy fire with armed terrorists.

Pattern of Drone Sightings Along the Border

This is not an isolated case. On January 12, multiple drone-like objects were also spotted along both the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts.

According to officials, one suspected drone was seen moving from Tain toward Topa in the Mankote sector around 6:25 p.m., while another was detected over Khabbar village in Teryath a few minutes later. A blinking light was also observed from Dharmsal village in Kalakote moving toward Bharakh.

Each time, the Army's Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) were immediately activated, forcing the drones to return toward Pakistani territory.

Security agencies believe these frequent sightings are part of Pakistan-based groups' ongoing attempts to drop weapons, narcotics, or surveillance equipment into Indian territory using drones.

Security Forces Maintain Vigil Along the LoC

The Army, BSF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police have been instructed to remain on maximum alert and maintain round-the-clock aerial monitoring using radar and anti-drone systems.

Officials said that while no payloads have been recovered in the recent incidents, the repeated drone sightings indicate a pattern of coordinated cross-border activity, possibly linked to attempts at infiltration or logistical support for terror networks operating within Jammu and Kashmir.

With winter fog and poor visibility making it easier for drones to evade radar, the forces are maintaining tight security along the border to prevent any breach or smuggling attempt.

Employees Found Aiding Terror Outfits

In a major step to tighten internal security, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has dismissed five government employees after investigations revealed their involvement in terror-related activities. The move is part of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's ongoing crackdown on individuals within the government who are allegedly supporting terrorism or aiding terror groups.

According to official sources, since 2021, the government has terminated 85 employees for maintaining links with banned terrorist organisations. The latest action, officials said, sends a strong message that those working against national interests will not be tolerated within public service.

The five dismissed employees have been identified as Mohd Ishfaq (teacher), Tariq Ahmad Shah (lab technician), Bashir Ahmad Mir (assistant lineman), Farooq Ahmad Bhat (forest department field worker), and Mohd Yousf (driver).

Each of them was found to have been directly or indirectly involved with Pakistan-based terror organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).

Investigations found that Mohd Ishfaq, a school teacher, was working for LeT and had even been tasked with assassinating a police officer in 2022. He was arrested before the plan could be carried out.

Authorities revealed that Ishfaq used his position to radicalise young students and motivate them to join extremist groups. Even while in jail, he allegedly continued to indoctrinate other inmates.

Another government employee, Tariq Ahmad Shah, working as a lab technician, was found to be helping Hizbul Mujahideen. Investigators linked him to the 2005 escape of his uncle, a Hizbul commander, to Pakistan. Tariq reportedly facilitated his stay and later arranged his cross-border movement through the Attari-Wagah border, aiding a wanted terrorist in evading Indian authorities.

Deep Nexus Between Employees and Terror Groups

The probe also uncovered that Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman in the Public Health Engineering Department, was an overground worker (OGW) for the Lashkar-e-Taiba. His house in Gurez was used to shelter two terrorists in 2021.

Both were killed in a police operation, and a cache of weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, was recovered from the site. Bashir was later arrested but granted medical bail by the court.

Similarly, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a forest department field worker, was accused of helping Hizbul Mujahideen and assisting in the escape of a senior terrorist commander. Officials said he misused his government identity card and vehicle privileges to move across security checkpoints without detection.

Despite being arrested in 2024, Farooq allegedly continued to maintain contact with terror operatives after his release.

The fifth dismissed employee, Mohd Yousf, a driver with the Health and Medical Education Department, was caught transporting weapons and funds on instructions from his Pakistan-based handler. In July 2024, he was arrested after police intercepted his vehicle and recovered a pistol, ammunition, and ₹5 lakh in cash.

Investigations revealed that he was also part of a network that supplied mobile phones to jailed terrorists to maintain contact with handlers across the border.

Crackdown on Terror Links Within the System

A senior official said the crackdown on government employees with terrorist connections is part of a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone undermining peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration has repeatedly stated that government employees cannot enjoy state benefits while working for anti-national elements.

"This action reinforces our commitment to eliminate any form of support structure for terrorism from within," an official source said.

The dismissals highlight the administration's continued effort to cleanse the system of infiltration and maintain the hard-won stability in the region.