Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Take Over in Kashmir as Pakistani Intelligence Agency, ISI, Allegedly Employs Drones in Place of Terrorist Operatives

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Take Over in Kashmir as Pakistani Intelligence Agency, ISI, Allegedly Employs Drones in Place of Terrorist Operatives

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has significantly altered its approach to terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, with a notable increase in the use of drones.

This new strategy involves the deployment of drones for various purposes, including real-time situational assessments to monitor troop deployments and identify terrain vulnerabilities, aiding in infiltration attempts across the Line of Control (LoC). Drones are also used to provide logistical support, such as delivering food to terrorists hiding in remote areas.

The shift towards drone operations can be attributed to the weakening of traditional Over Ground Worker (OGW) networks, which have been pressured by Indian security forces. As a result, the ISI has increasingly relied on drones to carry out tasks previously performed by OGWs, such as surveillance and local coordination.

Indian security agencies have been working to counter these drone-based operations. They are likely to boost their surveillance capabilities, including anti-drone technologies to detect and neutralize Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Meetings between ISI officials and terror groups have focused on increasing local recruitment and emphasizing drone surveillance in planning infiltration attempts.

The ISI is reportedly planning to relocate terror training camps and build new launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, further complicating the security situation.

In summary, the increased use of drones by Pakistan's ISI in Jammu and Kashmir represents a significant challenge for Indian security forces. Addressing this threat involves not only technological countermeasures but also strategic adjustments to counter evolving terror tactics. Ongoing developments suggest a continued escalation in drone-based operations, necessitating proactive responses from Indian authorities.

Notably, Pakistan-based workshops, supported by ISI, are producing 3D-printed drones costing $500-1,500 for smuggling and surveillance.

[1] Punjab Police and BSF intercepted 75 drones, recovering 150 kg of heroin, 50 AK-47s, and 200 grenades in 2024. [2] Over 1,000 drone flights were recorded along the international border and LoC in 2024-2025. [3] Between 2023 and 2025, over 200 such consignments were intercepted in Punjab and Jammu. [4] Armed drones carrying 5-20 kg payloads frequently drop weapons, including AK-47s, grenades, IEDs, and narcotics, across the border in Jammu and Punjab. [5] Over 1,000 OGWs have been arrested by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir since 2020, weakening Pakistan's human intelligence and logistics network in the region. [6] Terrorists are being trained in drone operations in PoK-based camps in Kotli and Rawalkot. [7] In June 2025, a drone carrying 5 kg of RDX was intercepted in Rajouri. [8] Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and night vision are handling up to 80% of tasks previously performed by OGWs. [9] Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has shifted from using traditional Overground Workers (OGWs) to drone-based operations in Jammu and Kashmir to support terrorism. [10] Intelligence inputs confirm drone use in mapping high-altitude infiltration routes, including during an ISI meeting in Muzaffarabad in May 2025. [11] Drones like DJI Mavic 3, Phantom 4, and modified Chinese Wing Loong II have been deployed to monitor Indian border posts and stream live video to handlers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). [12] Drones flying under 100 meters or using thermal cloaking reduce detection rates by up to 40%. [13] Drone-supported infiltration has increased by 20% in 2025, with 50-60 terrorists entering Jammu and Kashmir. [14] Terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) have adopted drone technology for surveillance, smuggling weapons, and supporting infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir.

1. The technology sector has seen an increase in demand for anti-drone solutions, as Indian security forces strive to counter the rise of drone-based operations in the industry of war-and-conflicts, specifically in Jammu and Kashmir.
2. The reliance on drones by Pakistan's ISI in the aerospace domain for terrorist activities has escalated tensions with neighboring countries, raising general-news concerns about the future of peace and security in the region.
3. In response to the drone-based threat, Indian finance ministers have proposed a budget allocation for acquiring advanced tech systems to combat drone incursions, prioritizing cybersecurity for protecting essential infrastructure and maintaining national security.
4. The ongoing deployments of drones in Jammu and Kashmir have attracted attention from international politics, as countries step up dialogues about global cyberspace regulations to address emerging weapons like drones and counter drone technology.
5. Meanwhile, the sports world remains unaffected by the recent drone-related developments. Yet, athletes and their sponsors are cautious about any potential impact on future events, focusing on crowd safety and event security using advanced technology solutions to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable experience for fans.
6. In contrast to drone technology's darker side, researchers and entrepreneurs in the data-and-cloud-computing industry are harnessing the same drone tech to perform tasks like monitoring crops for precision agriculture and conducting wildlife surveys, reshaping the way we gather and analyze data in various industries.

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