BSF lodges objection with Pak over drone activities in Jammu

TNN Bureau. Updated: 7/25/2021 11:18:31 AM Front Page

Jammu: India on Saturday lodged a strong protest over drone activities by Pakistan authorities in Jammu areas during a sector commander-level meeting between the Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers, officials said.
The meeting was held at the request of Pakistan Rangers at the International Border (IB) in the Suchetgarh area and it was decided to re-energise instant communication between field commanders, whenever required, to resolve the operational matters, a BSF spokesperson said.
Commanders of both the border guarding forces discussed various issues with the main emphasis by the BSF delegation on Pakistani drone activities, terrorist activities and digging of tunnels from across the border and other issues related to border management, he said.
A very strong protest was lodged by BSF delegates regarding drone activities by Pakistan authorities in the Jammu area, the officials said.
At the same time, both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining peace and harmony at the IB, they said.
"It was the first sector commander level meeting between two border guarding forces after the declaration of ceasefire agreement by DGMOs (in February)," the spokesperson said.
"The meeting was held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere and both sides agreed on an expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in the earlier DG-level talks and committed to each other to maintain peace and harmony at the IB," he said.
Suspected hexa-copter was among two drones spotted last night by the locals in Kalu Chak area of Jammu, officials said on Saturday.
SSP Kathua, RC Kotwal said that locals from Kalu Chak noticed a "drone type activity" in the sky last night.
"As the activities have increased, we always verify information which is being provided by the people,” Kotwal added.
He said that people have become aware of any kind of suspicious activities and they report to the police immediately.
An official source said that the suspicious drone activity was also noticed at Nihalpur along the Jammu-Pathankot highway by the locals last night and they informed the nearest police post.
"A massive hunt was launched by the SOG and District Police in Nihalpur and its adjoining areas, but nothing suspicious was found, " a source said.
However, the security grid has been tightened on all roads leading from border villages towards the highway or towns and vehicles are being checked by the security forces, he added.
Officials said that checking has also been intensified on the highway in different locations.
Another drone suspected to be hexa-copter was spotted three to four times in Parmandal Morh – Kalu Chak area by the security forces last night, a defense source said.
The defense source said that the UAV was flying over a police post and close to the military installations in Kalu Chak and over Parmandal Morh.
"The drone disappeared immediately before it could be shot down by the security forces,” the defence source said.
Acting swiftly, the security forces intensified vehicle checking in the Parmandal area and established surprise checking of the vehicles and suspected persons, he added.
The defence source further added the security force personnel have been alerted while the security agencies have been working in a coordinated manner.


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