Security forces have caught a suspected pigeon near the international border in Jammu, sparking concerns of possible cross-border espionage.
The bird was intercepted during the night between August 18 and 19, around 9:00 PM, close to the Kathmaria border post, specifically near Forward Defence Post 69. Sources said the pigeon was found in suspicious circumstances, raising the possibility of it being used for spying activities.
This is not the first time pigeons have been linked to cross-border messaging. In 2016, Punjab police detained a pigeon allegedly carrying a note from terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba threatening then-Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2020, another bird suspected of espionage was captured in Kathua with what officials described as a “coded message.”
Security experts warn the latest incident must be treated with caution, especially after the 2021 Jammu Air Force Station explosions caused by drone-dropped IEDs. “Unconventional tactics like these are not new and cannot be ignored,” a senior security official said.
Investigators are now analyzing the note for handwriting, fingerprints, and other forensic clues. Meanwhile, residents along the border remain divided—some dismissing the incident as a prank, while others fear it could be a prelude to a larger terror plot.
In response, security forces have stepped up patrols, surveillance, and intelligence checks across the Jammu region as the investigation continues.
