Soldiers try to shoot down drones, thwart attack on Kaluchak military station
It is raining drones over vital security installations in the Jammu region.
After a sensational drone attack on Jammu Air Force Station late on Sunday, two more drones were spotted over Ratnuchak-Kaluchak military station located on the Jammu-Pathankot National highway in the wee hours of Monday. Alert troops fired upon them.
On May 14, 2002, Kaluchak military station was attacked by three Pakistani terrorists who had infiltrated via the International border. Wearing combat dresses the fidayeens (members of the suicide squad) had barged inside the Kaluchak military station after lobbing grenades at the front gate.
At least 31 people, including three Army personnel, 18 Army family members and 10 civilians, were killed and 47 others were wounded in one of the bloodiest terror attacks.
Repeated incidents of drone spotting and their use for weapons dropping, narcotics smuggling is keeping security forces on the tenterhooks for a long time.
Defence Spokesman in Jammu, Lt Col Devender Anand said, “On midnight of 27-28 June 2021, two separate drone activities were spotted over Ratnuchak-Kaluchak Military area by troops. The first drone was spotted at around 2345 hours on June 27 and the second was noticed in the vicinity at around 0240 hours on June 28, 2021”.
Immediately, a high alert was sounded and Quick Reaction Teams engaged them with firing.
Both the Drones flew away. “A major threat thwarted by the alertness and proactive approach of troops. The security forces are on high alert and the search operation is in progress”, Lt Col Anand said.
Meanwhile, the investigators collecting evidence from inside the Air Force Station have not found any wreckage of drones which clearly indicated the aerial vehicle went back after dropping the IED’s on the Air Force Station.
The possible targets were the Air Traffic control tower and the hangers where helicopters were parked inside the air force station.
According to a senior police officer, the investigation agencies have not yet concluded whether the drones were flown from across the border or from the close vicinity of the air force station to launch the attack.
The FIR lodged in the Satwari police station clearly stated the payloads were dropped using drones. Jammu and Kashmir police are also keeping a close watch on the suspicious activities of some of the Over ground workers and anti-national elements living in the close vicinity of the air force station.
Meanwhile, teams of National Investigation Agency, National Bomb data centre, IAF officers continue to piece together the forensic evidence and explosive material used for targeting the strategic air force asset.
Investigators are of the opinion high grade explosive material was used to target the Air Force Station, Jammu.
Inspector General of Jammu police Mukesh Singh Monday attended another high-level meeting with the investigating agencies inside the Air Force Station. The security of the vital installations in the region has been beefed up to prevent another strike with the help of drones.