Multiple drones enter Rajouri
*Gunshots heard in Billawar forests
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 13: Army opened fire to take down multiple suspected Pakistani drones that entered Indian Territory from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri district this evening.
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However, the drones briefly hovered in the Manjakote sector before returning to Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK).
This incident marks the second occasion in three days that the Indian Army has fired upon Pakistani drones in the Rajouri district.
Defence sources said that the Indian Army implemented counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) measures after drones were spotted along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Around 7 pm, troops fired upon a few Pakistani drones when they entered Indian territory over Dunga Gala in the Chingus area of Rajouri. The drones subsequently vanished and are believed to have retreated to the other side, officials said.
Officials noted that Army personnel detected the movement of two drone-like objects over the forward Dheri Dhara village around 7.35 pm and fired several live rounds to target them.
However, the suspected drones moved toward Kalali before returning, officials said, adding that a search operation was initiated to ensure no weapons or narcotics were airdropped by the drones.
On Sunday, troops guarding the Nowshera sector fired medium and light machine guns after observing drone activity over Gania-Kalsian village.
On the same day, drone movements were also detected over Khabbar village in Teryath, Kalakote in Rajouri, Tain-Topa in the Mankote area of Poonch district, and Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector of Samba. However, those flying objects returned within a few minutes.
Earlier on Friday night, security forces recovered an arms consignment, dropped by a drone from Pakistan, in Paloora village of Ghagwal near the International Border in Samba. The recovery included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade.
Meanwhile, Security forces have launched a search operation in Najote forests of Billawar tehsil in Kathua district following movement of suspected terrorists observed initially by the locals.
Najote forest area is just about 10 kilometers from Kamadah Nallah in Kahog area of Billawar tehsil where security forces and terrorists exchange fire on January 7.
“Several gunshots were heard this afternoon after security forces launched a search operation following information about the suspected movement of terrorists in Najote forests of Billawar, the officials said.
They said the suspected terrorists fired a few shots on observing movement of security forces, who retaliated while moving deep inside the forest to neutralize them.
The cordon-and-search operation was strengthened and efforts are on to track down the terrorists, the officials said.
On January 7, an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Kahog but the ultras managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness, the challenging geography and dense forests.
Security forces have intensified anti-terrorist operations across the mountainous areas, forests, and far off reaches in different parts of the Jammu region ahead of the upcoming Republic-Day celebrations.
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