BSF shoots down Pakistani spy drone in Hiranagar sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua; weapons, grenades recovered

New Delhi: The Border Security Force on Saturday (June 20) shot down a Pakistani drone along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, thus foiling another attempt of Pakistani agencies to drop weapons and arms across the border. According to a report, the drone was shot down in the forward post in Rathua village in Hiranagar taluka in the Kathua district.

The patrolling party of BSF from 19 Battalion spotted a Pakistani drone flying in the Rathua area of Hiranagar sector and fired eight rounds on it, thus shooting it down. The team recovered 1 M-4 US-made rifle, 2 magazines, 60 rounds of bullets and 7 grenades. 

At about 5.10 am on Saturday, a Pakistani spy drone was noticed flying near Border Outpost Pansar of BSF. After the drone was tracked, sub-inspector Devender Singh fired 8 rounds of 9mm Barretta at it and shot it down. 

The drone was shot down near Border Outpost Pansar. 

Take a look at the pictures below:

The distance where the drone was shot down was approximately 250 metres on the Indian side from the International Border with Pakistan.

According to reports, the officials found the name of one Ali Bhai on the payload of the drone, assuming that the delivery was for him.
 
The officials believe that the drone, 8-feet wide, was controlled by Pakistan Picket opposite Panesar post of BSF this side in Kathua sector. 

Notably, the forces had recovered similar weapons from Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, who were killed during an infiltration attempt from across the border along the Line of Control at toll plaza Nagrota, a few months back. 

The arms smuggling by Pakistani agencies is aimed to boost the strength of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Kashmir to carry out terrorist acts of violence and disruption of peace and order. 

Several similar attempts of Pakistani agencies to smuggle weapons from across the border have been foiled by forces in the past.