In a startling discovery, villagers in Sarhoti village under Dharmasal police station limits in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir stumbled upon a red and white balloon shaped like an airplane on Sunday. The balloon bore markings of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) along with Urdu inscriptions, sparking immediate concern and curiosity among locals.
The object was spotted in the afternoon on a rocky, sloped terrain near the village. Alert residents wasted no time and promptly informed the police. A team from Teryath police station rushed to the site, cordoned off the area as a precaution, and secured the balloon for examination.
Preliminary inspections revealed no immediate threats, but authorities are treating the incident with utmost seriousness. Investigators are probing the balloon’s origin, construction, and purpose. Questions loom large: Was it deliberately sent across the border? Or simply a weather-related mishap?
Security agencies have been put on high alert. Police sources indicate that forensics and intelligence teams are analyzing the Urdu text and PIA logo for clues. This isn’t the first such occurrence; similar PIA-branded balloons have appeared in Jammu previously, often linked to psychological tactics aimed at diversion and instilling fear.
Local administration has urged citizens to report any suspicious items without touching them. Officials reassure that the situation is under control, but vigilance remains key in this border region prone to cross-border activities. The investigation continues to uncover if this balloon poses a security risk or is mere propaganda flotsam.