Indian Army Reports Calm After Drone Sightings in Samba, Signals Control Post-Operation Sindoor

Samba, Jammu and Kashmir – The Indian Army has confirmed that no hostile drones are currently detected in the Samba district, asserting that the situation is stable and under control following recent sightings. This update comes in the wake of heightened tensions after Operation Sindoor, a military offensive targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

On Monday, suspected drones were spotted along the International Border in Samba, prompting immediate engagement by security forces. Visuals captured red tracer streaks and explosions as India’s air defense systems intercepted the objects. The Army initially urged calm, stating, “A small number of suspected drones have been observed near Samba in J&K. They are being engaged. There is no need to be alarmed.” By Tuesday, military officials confirmed the absence of further drone activity, signaling a return to normalcy.

The drone sightings followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national address on Monday, where he outlined the success of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The operation targeted nine terror camps, with the Indian Air Force conducting precise night raids on hideouts linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The Army’s statement aligns with broader efforts to maintain vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border. A ceasefire agreement, reached on May 10 after days of intense cross-border exchanges, appears to be holding, with no reported incidents of shelling or firing overnight. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Poonch district to assess the situation, assuring support for those affected by recent hostilities.

In related developments, a surveillance drone was downed in Jalandhar, Punjab, around 9:20 pm on Monday, as confirmed by Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal. Precautionary blackouts were enforced in areas like Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, reflecting heightened security measures.

The Indian Army continues to monitor the region closely, urging citizens to remain alert for suspicious activities, particularly after recent drone incursions. The cessation of military operations, as noted by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane in an interview, marks a tentative pause, with future stability hinging on ongoing diplomatic talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan.