India’s Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, on Tuesday issued a clear warning to Pakistan over repeated drone sightings along the India-Pakistan border, saying that such intrusions are “unacceptable” and must be controlled. The issue was formally raised during the weekly Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks held between the two countries on the same day.

Addressing the annual press conference of the Indian Army, General Dwivedi said Pakistan’s military operations leadership had been told to rein in these activities. Referring to the message conveyed to the Pakistani side, he said, “This has been conveyed to them… ‘Lagaam lagaiye’,” using the Hindi phrase meaning “put a leash on it” or “exercise control.”

The Army Chief stated that the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive but is firmly under control. He reassured that the Indian Army is fully alert and capable of responding to any attempts to breach security along the borders.

Providing details about the drone sightings, General Dwivedi said that multiple small drones had been observed on different dates earlier this month. “Around six drones were seen on January 10, and two to three were seen on January 11 and 12,” he said. He further explained that these drones were not flying at very high altitudes and were visibly identifiable. “The drones seen were very small and come with their lights on,” he added.

Explaining the possible purpose behind these sightings, the Army Chief said, “These, I believe, were defensive drones, which were trying to see if any action was being taken against us.” He also suggested that the drones could have been used to assess India’s security preparedness. “It’s possible they also wanted to see if there were any gaps, any laxity in the Indian Army, any gaps through which they could send terrorists,” he said.

However, General Dwivedi made it clear that such attempts would not succeed. He said that the Indian Army’s response would have sent a strong message across the border. “They must have received a negative response,” he said. Emphasising the effectiveness of India’s security arrangements, he added, “They must have seen that as of today, there is no such place, no such gap from where they can send them [terrorist].”

The Army Chief confirmed that the matter was discussed in detail during the DGMO-level talks. “But this is certain: we had a DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) talk today. This matter was discussed in that talk, and they were told that this is unacceptable to us, and please control,” he said.

In recent days, drones suspected to be from Pakistan were spotted in multiple locations along the border. In Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, a suspicious drone was seen on Monday night near a gas-based thermal power plant located close to the India-Pakistan border. According to an earlier report, the drone was noticed hovering over the power plant area.

Confirming the incident, Ramgarh police station in-charge Bhutaram Bishnoi said an investigation is underway. He stated that flying drones in the district is strictly prohibited without prior permission. Eyewitnesses said the drone was first seen around 10 pm and continued to circle the nearby airspace for nearly an hour.

Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, security was tightened in the Samba district after drones suspected to be from Pakistan were sighted along the Line of Control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector late on Sunday. The sightings continued into Monday, prompting heightened vigilance.

According to defence sources quoted by ANI, “A few Pakistan Army drones were sighted along the line of control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.” The sources added that the Indian Army responded swiftly. “The Indian Army troops undertook counter-unmanned aerial systems measures, forcing them to return,” the sources said.

The repeated sightings have led to increased security measures along the border, with the Indian Army maintaining a high state of readiness to counter any potential threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday also firmly rejected China’s claims over the Shaksgam valley, stating that India considers the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement illegal. Under this agreement, Pakistan ceded 5,180 sq km of Indian Territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China.

His remarks came a day after China reiterated that the Shaksgam valley belongs to it and it was justified in building infrastructure there. Responding to this, General Dwivedi said, “We do not approve of any activity in Shaksgam valley,” while speaking at his customary press conference ahead of the 78th Army Day on January 15. He reiterated that India does not recognise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it passes through Indian Territory under the illegal occupation of Pakistan.

General Dwivedi further said, “We do not accept the statement issued in China on CPEC and consider it to be an illegal action being carried out by the two nations.”