High Alert in Jammu Region Ahead of Republic Day: Suspect Pigeon Detained Near LoC, Drone-Dropped Arms Seized in Samba

With security tightened across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Republic Day celebrations, authorities reported two separate but alarming incidents on Saturday—one involving a suspicious pigeon near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector, and another concerning a cache of weapons allegedly dropped by a Pakistani drone near the international border in Samba district.

According to official sources, a 13-year-old boy identified as Aryan caught a pale grey pigeon early Saturday morning in Kharah village, located in the Akhnoor sector.

The bird had distinctive markings—two black bars on each wing—and its wings bore stamps, raising immediate suspicion.

Officials further noted that the pigeon had red and yellow rings on its leg, inscribed with the words “Rehmat Sarkar” and “Rizwan 2025.”

The pigeon was subsequently handed over to the police at the Pallanwala police station for further examination and verification.

Authorities said this was not an isolated incident. On August 18 last year, another pigeon believed to have flown in from Pakistan was intercepted in the Khatmaria area of R S Pura, close to the international border.

That bird was reportedly carrying a handwritten note in English and Urdu, warning of an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on the Jammu railway station.

In previous cases as well, pigeons have been found with coded messages, numbers, or slips tied to their legs, officials said.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Border Security Force, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition near the international border in Samba district.

Police sources said the seized items included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition, and one grenade.

Preliminary assessments suggest that the weapons were dropped using a drone from across the border in Pakistan.

The recovery followed a joint search operation launched after reports of cross-border drone movement over Paloora village in the Ghagwal area late on Friday night.

The weapons were found wrapped in yellow tape and were safely opened by a bomb disposal squad.

Security personnel continued combing operations in and around the area as part of precautionary measures.

In view of the upcoming Republic Day, police and security agencies have significantly intensified their vigilance across the Jammu region.

Measures include expanded combing and search operations, increased checkpoints (nakas), and heightened surveillance in sensitive border areas.

Just a day earlier, on Friday, security forces seized a small drone suspected to have been used for reconnaissance purposes in the R S Pura sector.

Additional search operations are also underway in the Katli area of Samba district following reports of suspicious movement.

These developments come only two days after police and security forces exchanged fire with a group of terrorists in the Billawar area of Kathua district on Wednesday.

The terrorists, however, managed to flee, prompting further tightening of security across the region.

Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored, and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure public safety and prevent any attempt to disrupt Republic Day celebrations.

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