Drone Movements Detected Along IB in Samba and Jalandhar; Authorities Say Situation Under Control

Drone sightings stirred brief tension along the International Border (IB) on Monday night in Jammu’s Samba district and Punjab’s Jalandhar region, prompting swift action by Indian defence forces. However, officials later confirmed that the situation was stable and under full control.

Indian air defence systems light up the night sky in Samba during drone interception operations, May 12, 2025.

According to local sources, red tracer rounds lit up the night sky in the Samba sector around midnight as Indian air defence systems responded to suspected drone activity near the border. A similar incident was reported in Jalandhar, Punjab, where a suspected surveillance drone was spotted hovering close to sensitive areas.

A senior district official from Jalandhar stated that armed forces quickly neutralized the suspicious flying object before it could breach secure zones. “It appeared to be a reconnaissance drone. Immediate action was taken to bring it down,” the official confirmed.

Visuals from the Samba region showed striking red streaks across the sky as air defence units engaged the targets, creating a spectacle but also raising concerns amid already heightened tensions with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.

Despite the initial alarm, an Army spokesperson provided reassurance later in the night. “The situation remains calm. At present, there are no reports of hostile drones along the International Border,” the official said.

These incidents occurred against the backdrop of escalated military preparedness following India's recent retaliatory operations and airspace alerts. Security forces remain on high alert across northern India, particularly in border areas, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant but avoid panic, emphasizing that robust monitoring and interception systems are actively safeguarding the border regions.