A drone suspected to have originated from Pakistan was spotted hovering over forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, prompting security forces to launch a search operation early Saturday. Officials said Army troops deployed to guard the sensitive border intensified surveillance after the suspected drone was detected. The incident occurred in the Mendhar sector, where security forces maintain heightened vigilance because of the area's proximity to the LoC. The search operation was initiated at first light as troops moved to check the area for any possible threat or suspicious activity.

According to officials, the drone was first spotted late Friday evening in the Behrooti village area of Balakote in the Mendhar sector. Security personnel observed the unmanned aerial object hovering over the forward area before it moved towards the Mangalnar-Dabrote side near the international border. The drone was subsequently reported to have returned towards Pakistan. Its movement across the area prompted security agencies to treat the sighting seriously and increase surveillance along the surrounding stretches.

Army troops and other security personnel subsequently began a detailed search of the suspected drone's flight path and nearby areas. The operation was aimed at determining whether the drone had dropped or left behind any suspicious object and at ensuring that there was no security threat on the Indian side of the LoC. Security forces also maintained close watch over the border area during the operation. Officials said surveillance had been intensified following the sighting as troops continued efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the drone's presence.

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Drone sightings along sensitive border areas have become an important security concern because unmanned aerial systems can potentially be used for surveillance or for transporting material across the border. Security forces therefore closely monitor unidentified aerial objects detected near forward positions. In the present case, officials identified the drone as suspected to be from Pakistan based on its movement and the direction in which it was seen travelling. However, the available information did not indicate that the drone had landed or that security personnel had recovered any suspicious material.

The Mendhar sector remains an area requiring continuous surveillance because of its location along the LoC and the presence of forward security positions. The latest incident has led troops to conduct searches around the locations where the drone was observed and along its reported route. Security agencies are also expected to examine available information from the surveillance operation to determine whether further measures are necessary. The priority remains ensuring that no unauthorised aerial activity develops into a wider security threat in the border region.

The search operation was continuing after the suspected drone sighting as security forces maintained heightened vigilance across the affected area. Officials said troops guarding the LoC had intensified surveillance and launched the operation at first light following the incident. The drone's reported movement towards the Mangalnar-Dabrote side and subsequent return towards Pakistan remains the key focus of the investigation. Further details are expected if the search teams find any material or evidence that helps establish the purpose of the drone's presence near the Poonch border area.

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