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Paks Hexacopter shot down on IB, US-made M4 Carbine among seizure


Date:- 21 Jun 2020


A drone flying into Indian territory shot down by BSF troops


A drone flying into Indian territory shot down by BSF troops near International Border in Kathua district (left) and a US-made M4 Carbine machine recovered from the spot on Saturday.

BSF foils Pak’s first bid to send arms through drone


First major attempt by Pakistan to smuggle weapons into Jammu and Kashmir through drone was thwarted by the BSF on the International Border (IB) at Pansar in Rathua area of Kathua district this morning when it shot down Chinese made Hexacopter which was carrying arms, ammunition and explosives including US made M4 carbine machine which is used by the militants in sniping incidents.
The consignment was to be picked up by a militant code named Ali Bhai, who was reportedly affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit but he didn’t turn up at the site probably having been informed by his mentors sitting across the border that the drone has been shot down by the BSF and entire consignment seized. However, BSF and police have launched massive search operations along the International Border to track down the militants and their contacts who might be hiding somewhere to pick up the consignment sent from Pakistan.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the BSF observed Hexacopter flying well over 200 meters inside the Indian territory at Pansar near Rathua close to the International Border in Kathua district at 5.10 am and immediately shot it down. The drone was carrying consignment of arms, ammunition and explosives which was seized from the spot.
Apart from Hexacopter, which is Chinese made, weighing 17.5 kilograms and sized 8×6.2 feet, other recoveries included one American made M4 carbine machine with two magazines and 60 rounds, four batteries, one radio signal, two Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and seven China made grenades. Click here to watch video
“This is for the first time that Pakistan has attempted to smuggle arms, ammunition and explosives through Hexacopter along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir though two such attempts had been successful in Punjab last year,” sources said, adding there was high alert being maintained by the BSF all along the border about Pakistani attempt to smuggle arms through drones. Even the BSF Intelligence Branch also had inputs about this.
“The delivery was meant for one Ali Bhai as the payload was carrying his name. The drone was being controlled by Pakistani picket of the Rangers across Pansar areas on the International Border. Same make weapons were recovered from Jaish-e-Mohammed militants killed after infiltration from Pakistan in an encounter at Toll Plaza at Nagrota when they were travelling in a truck to Kashmir some months back,” sources said.
They added that such acts by Pakistani agencies are aimed at arming Jaish-e-Mohammed militants active in Kashmir to carry out terror acts and disrupt peace and order.
The BSF and police have launched massive search operations in the area to nab the militants and their Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who had to pick up the arms consignment sent from across the border for carrying out terror activities. No arrests have been made so far. It is believed that the militants and their contacts became aware of the Hexacopter being shot down by the BSF on the border and didn’t turn up. Searches, however, continued.
This is for the first time that a drone with weapons was brought down by the alert troops shortly after it entered into this side from Pakistan, frustrating Islamabad’s attempt to smuggle the arms through the Hexacopter in Jammu region though various unsuccessfully attempts were made in various sectors over the past one year especially in Punjab, sources said.
“This is the biggest achievement and we have averted a major incident… We are alert to the situation and keep an eye on ‘Aakash’, ‘Zameen’ and ‘Paataal’,” Inspector General of BSF, Jammu frontier, N S Jamwal who rushed to the Hiranagar sector, told reporters there.
He said the 8 feet × 6.2 feet drone came from Thakurpora post in Narowal-Shakargarh sector in Pakistan and its search led to the recovery of US-made M4 semi-automatic carbine machine besides other items weighing five and a half kilogram.
“It was 150 to 200 feet above the surface and had entered 250 to 300 meters into this side. Most of its parts are Chinese made and connected with the Winch system which is used to drop the payload at the receiver’s end and accordingly disconnect it so that it can return to Pakistan,” Jamwal said.
He said police have started an investigation and “we are hopeful of getting further leads” to identify the person who was supposed to receive the arms consignment.
“Had the weapons fallen into the hands of a militant, he could have launched an attack within a shortest possible time. We did not rule out an attempt to carry out an immediate attack using the weapons,” the officer said in response to a question.
He said dropping weapons by drones is a new dimension and “we are working to strengthen our system to counter the challenge”.
“Intelligence inputs are continuously pouring about Pakistan’s attempt to smuggle weapons through drones and we were alert to the threat. Many incidents of drones delivering consignment of arms in Punjab have come to light over the past one year and accordingly measures have been taken,” he said adding “our troops are alert to frustrate attempts of Pakistan.”
Referring to the seizure of M4 rifle, he said it is a matter of investigation how the weapon reached Pakistan. “It is a very serious issue and needs further investigation”.
In a press release, BSF said the intelligence branch of the force was receiving inputs about possible use of drones for ferrying arms and ammunition from Pakistan into Indian side.
“Accordingly the troops were put on high alert and the border domination was exponentially increased, leading to the successful downing of the Hexacopter,” it said.
Meanwhile, the officials said Pakistani Rangers fired a few rounds on Bobiya post in Hiranagar sector around 8.50 am. There was no retaliation by the BSF guarding the IB, they said, adding the situation is being monitored closely.

Courtesy: Daily Excelsior:  21st June, 2020