Aircraft-shaped balloon bearing inscription of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) seized in Rajouri district

RAJOURI: Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district have seized a balloon resembling an aircraft and bearing the inscription of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), news agency ANI reported. According to police, the object was spotted within the jurisdiction of the Teryath Police Post. Officers acted immediately on the information and took the balloon-like structure into possession. Police confirmed that no electrical or electronic components were affixed to the object. Further details are awaited. The development comes amid heightened vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC). Earlier this month, the Indian Army thwarted multiple Pakistani drone intrusion attempts in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials said the latest incident occurred between 5.45am and 6.00am, when at least two small quadcopters attempted to breach Indian airspace along the LoC in the Poonch area. Swift counter-drone actions by vigilant Indian Army personnel successfully thwarted the attempt, forcing the quadcopters to return, officials said. “This was not an isolated incident; there have been multiple drone sightings along the LoC and International Border in recent days,” officials added.

The Indian Army has intensified surveillance and monitoring to counter future attempts. On February 23, two balloons with the United States’ and Pakistani currencies (USD and PKR) attached to them were found near the LoC in the Akhnoor sector, Jammu and Kashmir Police said. Police carried out an investigation to determine the authenticity of the currency.