Security sources said infiltration attempts have gone up on the international border

Resorting to the use of drones to airdrop weapons and communication hardware across the border in Punjab is a desperate measure by the Pakistan army which has been finding it hard to aid terrorists attempting to cross the international border. The latest attempt is to send in drones that can either drop weapons or communication equipment that would help the ISI to pick up intelligence or track the movement of Indian forces.

Security sources said repeated attempts have been made by the Pakistan army to push terrorists into Indian territory by providing them cover fire and engaging Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, but these attempts are being thwarted by the border guarding force effectively.

Owing to the heavy deployment of BSF personnel, there is high alert on the Indian border which has forced the inimical elements across the border to resort to new measures to breach Indian territory.

Security sources said infiltration attempts have gone up on the international border as well as along the Line of Control since the government abrogated Article 370, taking Islamabad by surprise. Earlier, the Balakot strikes had caused visible embarrassment to the Pakistan army which had no clue about the operation planned by Indian forces.

New Delhi’s latest move to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country has thrown the Pakistan army into a tizzy. The army is desperate to increase militancy in the state and foment trouble.

Indian agencies have received intelligence inputs of Punjab and Jammu sectors along International Border being targeted by Pakistan terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba trying to sneak in terrorists. With the winter season approaching and the passes getting closed in next few months due to snowfall, the attempt is to utilise this period to sneak in as many terrorists. With traditional ways of infiltration on foot proving unsuccessful this time, drones are being used for air reconnaissance and send weapons across which can be used by terrorists who will try to sneak in, said a security official.

Attempts to send drones have been made by the Pakistan army in the past as well, but they were largely along the LoC, said an official. However, given the changed situation post abrogation of Article 370, the international border is the new target of Pakistan army and their drones.

The latest alarm went off when a drone was sighted at the border near Ferozepur in Punjab . Last month, a drone was recovered while another was found in a burnt condition from Jhabal town in Tarn Taran.