Nazim Ali Manhas / Mazhar Iqbal
Poonch: The Line of Control (LoC) has once again turned tense following repeated drone-like objects sighted in Rajouri, compelling the Indian Army to open fire at suspected intrusions in Rajouri district.
Two Pakistani drone-like objects were sighted hovering over Manjakote whereas similar objects were sighted in the skys over Keri in Chingus in Rajouri District, as per the reports.
These drone-like objects were sighted along the Line of Control of Rajouri Sector, alerting the Army all along the Line of Control.
Troops deployed in forward areas opened fire on the drones, forcing them to retreat. An alert has been sounded all along the International Border and the Line of Control between India and Pakistan in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier as well, media reports had highlighted drone activities in Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts.
TRACKING, HIKING & CAMPING PROHIBITED IN HIGH-ALTITUDE AREAS OF BORDER DISTRICT POONCH
The District Magistrate of Poonch, Ashok Kumar Sharma, on January 12, 2026, prohibited trekking, camping, hiking, and all similar outdoor adventure activities in all high-altitude areas of Poonch district for a period of two months.
These restrictions apply to all individuals, groups, tour operators, and adventure clubs, except those with prior written permission from the competent authority for official purposes.
Security forces, emergency and essential services, and government officials on official duty have been exempted from these prohibition orders.
The District Magistrate has strictly warned that anyone found violating the order will be liable for action under the law. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Poonch, has been directed to ensure strict implementation of the order and regulate movement at naka-checking points.
FOGGY WEATHER POSES A CHALLENGE IN JAMMU PLAINS
As weather conditions have turned foggy and visibility has reduced in the plains of the Jammu region – particularly in Kathua, Samba, and Jammu districts – due to cold weather, security forces have heightened vigilance in all border areas of Jammu division. The intensified security grid extends from the International Border to the Line of Control in the Poonch – Rajouri districts along the Indo-Pakistan border.
Working as a single unit, the Border Security Force (BSF), Border Police, District Police, Special Operations Groups (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Village Defence Groups (VDGs) – armed civilian groups trained to defend their villages against terrorists – have jointly enhanced patrolling and vigilance while tightening the security grid through close coordination.
This synergy among security forces has led to a decline in terror activities, although some encounters have been reported in the upper reaches of Udhampur and Kishtwar last year.
INDIAN ARMY CHIEF SPEAKS ON SECURITY AND TERRORISM IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Addressing a press conference, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that since May 10 last year, the situation on the Western Front and in Jammu and Kashmir has remained sensitive but firmly under control.
While acknowledging continued sensitivity, General Dwivedi stated that 31 terrorists have been neutralised, the majority of whom were of Pakistani origin (65 percent).
These figures also indicate that local recruitment into terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has declined sharply, leading to a comparatively more peaceful situation.DD
Pir Panjal Bureau Chief
