Jammu: A balloon featuring the Pakistani flag and name was discovered on Wednesday in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, near the International Border (IB), sparking concern.
The balloon was found in the morning by a woman in Palauna village, located in the Ghagwal sector of Samba. Upon discovering the balloon, the woman immediately alerted local residents and the Ghagwal police post. A police team responded quickly and seized the balloon.
Officials stated that the balloon bore the Pakistani flag and inscription. They are currently investigating its origin and any potential conspiracy behind it. Incidents of similar balloons being found in border areas have been reported previously, and security agencies are taking the matter seriously.
Terrorist groups, often with the assistance of Pakistan’s ISI, have been known to use drones to transport arms, ammunition, drugs, and money to fuel terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. These drones are typically retrieved by terrorists or their associates from pre-arranged locations.
Additionally, some terrorist groups have used tunnels dug under the International Border for infiltrating and smuggling weapons.
The Border Security Force (BSF), which patrols the International Border in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts, has implemented an extensive anti-drone system, significantly reducing drone sightings and landings in recent months.
Jammu and Kashmir shares a 740-km-long Line of Control (LoC) and a 480-km-long International Border with Pakistan. Both areas have been frequently targeted by drone operations by terrorist organizations. The Indian Army monitors the LoC, while the BSF is responsible for securing the International Border in the region.