Srinagar, Dec 24: Security forces recovered balloons bearing Pakistani symbols from two separate locations in north Kashmir near the Line of Control (LoC), triggering heightened alertness across the border districts of Baramulla and Kupwara, officials said on Wednesday
According to officials, a cluster of balloons with a Pakistani flag attached was spotted near Sarna Top in the Khadinayar area of Baramulla district. The objects were noticed by a patrolling team of the Army’s 46 Rashtriya Rifles during routine area domination.
In a second, similar incident, a balloon carrying the inscription of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was found lodged atop a tree in an orchard in Naugam village of the Handwara area in Kupwara district, close to the LoC.
The residents first noticed the balloon and immediately alerted the security forces. Army personnel subsequently reached the spot and retrieved the object without incident.
Officials said both recoveries are being treated with caution due to their proximity to the LoC and the sensitive nature of the Valley.
While preliminary assessments suggest that the balloons may have drifted across the border due to prevailing wind patterns, security agencies are not ruling out other possibilities. The seized materials are being thoroughly analysed to determine whether they pose any security risk or were intended for propaganda or mischief.
“These incidents are under investigation, and all standard operating procedures are being followed,” an official said here, adding that such objects have occasionally been reported in border areas in the past.
The recoveries come amid continued efforts by the Army and other security agencies to maintain strict surveillance along the border belts of North Kashmir, which have witnessed repeated attempts in the past to create disturbance or spread misinformation through cross-border means.
Authorities have advised residents, particularly those living in areas close to the LoC, to remain vigilant and immediately inform the nearest police station or security unit if they notice any suspicious or unidentified objects. People have also been cautioned against touching or approaching such items to avoid potential danger.