Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir went on high alert after discovering a balloon marked with “Pakistan International Airlines” (PIA) in a remote forest area of Shopian district, far from the Line of Control (LoC) and typical landing zones.
The balloon was recovered from the Kwakollah-Herpura forest in Shopian, marking the first such incident deep inside the Kashmir Valley. Unlike previous finds in border districts like Samba, Kathua, and Rajouri—where dozens of similar objects have appeared within 3-8 km of the border—this discovery raises suspicions of deliberate placement rather than natural drift.
“This is highly unusual,” a senior security official told reporters, noting the balloon’s location well inland from LoC positions. Agencies are probing its origin, trajectory, and potential payload, fearing it could carry surveillance devices, narcotics, or improvised explosives. Often used for distraction or panic, these balloons are treated with utmost caution.
Following the recovery, additional forces launched intensive search operations in the forested area. The balloon has been sent for forensic analysis to Jammu and Kashmir Police labs, with focus on its flight path and landing site anomalies.
This incident fits a pattern of rising detections this month:
- December 11, 2025: A balloon recovered in Bishnah, Jammu district.
- December 17, 2025: PIA-marked aircraft-shaped balloon found near the border in Chakwal Rajpura, Samba.
- December 17, 2025: Similar sightings reported in Himachal Pradesh, prompting local police to consult Indian Air Force and neighboring states.
Authorities have initiated a high-level security review of the region, amid concerns over espionage risks in sensitive interior areas.
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