Jammu, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Police have launched an investigation after a balloon bearing the name and logo of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was recovered from Azmatabad village in the Thanamandi area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.
According to officials, the white-and-red balloon had “PIA” printed on it. Local residents found the balloon and handed it over to the police, following which security agencies began examining the object to determine whether it has any significance beyond being a wind-drifted inflatable.
Authorities said every such recovery is treated with caution given the security sensitivities along the border and the increasing use of drones for cross-border activities.
Security agencies have recovered several Pakistan-linked promotional and toy balloons from border districts in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months. While most investigations have concluded that such balloons are commercial or celebratory items carried across by changing wind patterns, each incident is thoroughly examined to rule out any possible security threat.
In April this year, a Pakistani balloon was recovered in the Arnia sector of Jammu district. In March, an aeroplane-shaped balloon carrying the “PIA” marking and Urdu text was found in Rajouri’s Sarhoti village. Earlier in February, balloons recovered in the Akhnoor sector reportedly carried a Pakistani ₹5,000 note, a US dollar and a Pakistani mobile phone number. Another PIA-marked aeroplane-shaped balloon was also found in the R.S. Pura sector during the same month.
Officials said investigations in previous cases have highlighted the use of drones by cross-border elements for smuggling narcotics, arms and ammunition. As a result, any unidentified flying or drifting object recovered near border areas immediately triggers security protocols, including area domination and technical examination by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies.
Police said the investigation into the latest recovery is continuing.
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