Jammu, July 14, KNT: A suspected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was recovered from an agricultural field in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Tuesday, barely hours after the Army detected and jammed an unidentified flying object near the International Border, raising the possibility that both incidents are linked.
The drone was spotted at around 5:50 am in an agricultural field near Devak by a resident of Chak Salaria, who was out on a morning run. Realising the significance of the object, the resident immediately alerted a nearby Army unit, following which security personnel rushed to the spot and secured the drone.
The recovery comes less than nine hours after Army troops deployed in the adjoining Nandpur area detected an unidentified flying object reportedly approaching from the Arnia side at around 9:00 pm on Tuesday. Acting swiftly, the Army activated its anti-drone mechanism and launched electronic jamming measures to neutralise the aerial object before it could proceed further.
Read: Akbar Jasoos from Kashmir
Officials suspect the recovered drone is the same object that was intercepted during the overnight operation and believe it may have crash-landed after being disabled by the Army’s jamming system.
The drone has been sent for forensic examination to determine its origin, technical specifications and whether it had been used for any cross-border activity or other unlawful purpose.
Security agencies have intensified surveillance in the border belt while the investigation is underway to establish the complete circumstances surrounding the recovery. [KNT]
Timeline: Drone Recoveries and Interceptions Along the Jammu Border (2025–2026)
July 15, 2025 – Samba
- BSF recovered a Pakistani-made drone carrying narcotics and arms near the International Border in Samba district. The consignment included heroin, pistols and ammunition.
August 2025 – Jammu Sector
- Security forces intercepted multiple suspected cross-border drones attempting to drop narcotics and weapons in the Arnia, R.S. Pura and Akhnoor sectors. Anti-drone systems were activated to thwart the attempts.
October 2025 – Samba
- A drone carrying suspected narcotics was recovered from an agricultural field after being detected during surveillance along the border.
December 2025 – Kathua
- BSF troops intercepted a drone movement near the International Border. A subsequent search operation led to the recovery of a payload suspected to have been dropped from across the border.
January 2026 – Jammu Border Belt
- Security agencies reported increased drone sightings along the International Border, prompting intensified surveillance and deployment of advanced anti-drone systems.
March 2026 – Samba
- A suspected cross-border drone was brought down during an anti-drone operation. Investigators recovered electronic components and examined the UAV for its origin and intended mission.
May 2026 – Jammu Region (Operation Sindoor Period)
- Following heightened military tensions, multiple drone intrusions were detected along the Jammu frontier. Army and BSF units neutralised several suspected UAVs using electronic jamming and kinetic counter-drone measures.
June 2026 – Arnia–R.S. Pura Sector
- Security forces detected repeated drone movements near the International Border, triggering search operations in adjoining villages. Officials linked the activity to suspected attempts at smuggling narcotics, arms and communication equipment.
July 14, 2026 – Samba
- Army troops deployed near Nandpur detected an unidentified flying object approaching from the Arnia side during the night. Anti-drone protocols were immediately activated and electronic jamming measures were initiated.
July 15, 2026 – Devak, Samba
- Hours after the overnight operation, a drone was recovered from an agricultural field near Devak by a local resident during a morning walk. Security agencies suspect it to be the same UAV that was disabled during the Army’s jamming operation. The drone has been sent for forensic examination to determine its origin, technical specifications and intended purpose.
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
