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2 more drones spotted over Kaluchak military station in Jammu; searches launched
The first drone was sighted around 11.30pm and the second one, at around 1am. A defence official said soldiers opened fire at the two drones but could not bring them down
A day after a drone attack on Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) technical airport in Jammu, two more drones were spotted hovering over Kaluchak and Ratnuchak military stations, also in Jammu, late Sunday night, said officials.
The first drone was sighted around 11.45pm and the second one, at around 2.40am. Defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said soldiers opened fire at the two drones but could not bring them down.“Searches were launched early this morning and we are also ascertaining whether they were being operated from a vehicle on the adjoining road,” he added.
“On the midnight of 27-28 June, two separate drone activities were spotted over Ratnuchak-Kaluchak military areas by alert troops. Immediately, high alert was sounded and quick reaction teams engaged them with firing. Both the drones flew away,” he said.
“A major threat was thwarted by the alertness and proactive approach of troops,” he said, adding the security forces are on high alert, the area has been cordoned off, and a search operation is in progress.
Also Read | Pak LeT behind drone attack in Jammu, target was ATC and parked IAF helicopters
The Kaluchak military station was attacked way back on May 14, 2002, by three armed terrorists from Pakistan. The trio first attacked a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus on Jammu-Pathankot highway and killed seven passengers before storming the station where they killed 23 persons, including 10 children, and five army soldiers.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s attack on IAF base in Jammu is believed to be the first-ever offensive use of drones to target an Indian military facility. The two “low-intensity” explosions left two IAF personnel injured. J&K director general of police Dilbag Singh said the twin blasts were a “terror attack”. “A drone with payload in both the blasts at Jammu airfield is suspected to have dropped the explosive material. The police have registered an FIR and investigation is on,” Singh said.
A senior police officer said that police are investigating the attack but there were no vital clues available to them as yet.
