Pakistani balloon bearing 'PIA' found in Rajasthan field

SRI GANGANAGAR: A balloon bearing the inscription “PIA” was found in a farmer’s field in Joiyawali village, under the jurisdiction of Jaitsar police station in Sri Ganganagar, officials said.The balloon has been secured, and the relevant authorities have been informed for further investigation, they added."A Pakistballoon, bearing the inscription 'PIA', was discovered in a field near Johiyawali village, falling under the jurisdiction of the Jaitsar Police Station in Sri Ganganagar. The balloon has been secured at the concerned police station, and the relevant agencies have been contacted. Further action is currently underway," Sri Ganganagar SP Hari Shankar told ANI. The balloon was spotted by farmer Manpreet Singh in his field in 11 Joiyawali village while he was attending to irrigation work. He noticed the inflated balloon near the embankment, attached to a three-foot-long string, and immediately alerted the police.Jaitsar police personnel later reached the spot to investigate, and the intelligence department was also informed of the incident.Authorities are now working to ascertain the balloon’s origin and whether it carried any suspicious material. Officials suspect it may have drifted across from Pakistan during recent Eid celebrations.Earlier in January, Pakistani drones were spotted in the Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector. The Indian Army responded with counter-unmanned aerial systems measures, forcing the drones to return, according to Defence sources. Local witnesses reported extensive firing in the areas of Jangarh and Kalal around 7:28 pm, praising the prompt action of the Indian Army.The development comes days after a joint operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police in Paloora village in Samba district led to the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition.The seizure included a China-made 9mm pistol with two magazines, a Glock 9mm pistol with one magazine, a Chinese hand grenade marked SPL HGR 84, and 16 live 9mm rounds, officials said.(With agency inputs)