From pigeons to pistols: What security forces intercepted along the Jammu border ahead of Republic Day

In the past, there have also been instances of pigeons found carrying code words and numbers on slips tied to their legs. (File Photo)

Amid stepped-up security ahead of Republic Day celebrations across Jammu & Kashmir, a suspicious pigeon was caught near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector, and a consignment of arms and ammunition dropped by a Pakistani drone was seized near the international border in Samba district.

Official sources said a 13-year-old boy, Aryan, caught a pale grey pigeon with two black bars on both wings at Kharah village on Saturday morning.

Pointing out that its wings were also found stamped, sources said the bird had red and yellow rings on its leg inscribed with the words ‘Rehmat Sarkar’ and ‘Rizwan 2025’. It was later handed over to the police at Pallanwala police station.

However, this is not the first time that a pigeon from Pakistan has been caught on the Indian side.

On August 18 last year, a pigeon was intercepted in R S Pura’s Khatmaria area near the international border. The bird was found carrying a chit, written in both English and Urdu, containing a warning to blow up the Jammu railway station with an IED.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force and the Jammu Kashmir Police on Saturday seized a consignment of arms and ammunition near the international border in Samba district.

According to police sources, the seized consignment, which included two pistols along with three magazines, 16 rounds and a grenade, appears to have been dropped through a drone from the Pakistan side.

The seizure followed searches jointly launched by police and BSF personnel following reports about the movement of a cross-border drone over Paloora village in the Ghagwal area late Friday night.

The seized arms and ammunition were wrapped in yellow tape, which was opened with the help of a bomb disposal squad. Searches in the area were in progress till reports last came in.

Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, police and security forces, as part of their intensified vigil, have already stepped up combing and search operations, besides increasing the number of nakas across the Jammu region.

Only Friday, they seized a small drone suspected to have been used for surveillance in the R S Pura area.

Security forces are also conducting searches in the Katli area of Samba district following reports about the movement of suspects on Friday.

These incidents have come two days after police and security forces exchanged fire with a group of terrorists in Kathua district’s Billawar area on Wednesday last. However, the terrorists managed to escape.