Nikial Sector, Pakistan (Agencies): A mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Indian Army inadvertently drifted into Pakistani territory on Friday due to a technical malfunction during a training mission. The UAV, identified as Switch VTOL, is now in the custody of Pakistani troops.
Reports indicate that the drone lost control and crossed into the Nikial Sector of Pakistan. Some sources claim it was shot down by Pakistani forces after entering their airspace. The wreckage was found in the Azad Kashmir area near the Line of Control (LoC) and is currently held by the Pakistan Armed Forces in Peer Kalanjar.
The Indian Army has sent a hotline message to Pakistan’s military, requesting the return of the UAV.
This incident follows a similar technical failure in March 2022, when an accidental missile launch into Pakistan raised concerns about the safety mechanisms in place for military operations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The recent event has garnered significant attention from both military and diplomatic circles, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.