Jammu: A suspicious aeroplane-shaped balloon carrying the logo of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was recovered in Jammu city on Sunday, sparking security concerns. Officials said the white and saffron-coloured balloon with ‘PIA’ written on it in green was found in the Nai Basti area of Jammu.
This is the second such incident in a week. Only days ago, a similar aircraft-shaped balloon with the same PIA markings was recovered in the forward area of Ramgarh sector in Samba district.
Security agencies have taken note of the recoveries at a time when cross-border drone activity has increased along the international border. Officials said the Border Security Force (BSF) has deployed special surveillance and anti-drone equipment to detect and shoot down such aerial objects. In several past incidents, drones have been intercepted or recovered before their payloads could be retrieved by militants or their overground workers.
The appearance of balloons with PIA markings in sensitive border districts has prompted fresh investigations into whether these are being used merely as psychological tactics or as part of diversionary measures linked to drone operations. [KNT]
