Payloads of greater than 2 kg every in improvised explosive units (IEDs) fitted with influence prices have been dropped on the Indian Air Force Station in Jammu on Saturday night time, preliminary investigations have revealed.
Sources within the safety institution stated there’s proof that two drones have been used within the terrorist assault, and {that a} “high grade” explosive was used.
“The sentry at the base heard two separate whirring sounds followed by two blasts at an interval of six minutes. No remains of drones were found at the site, so it is suspected that they dropped their payload and went back,” a safety institution officer informed The Indian Express.
A staff every from the Bomb Data Centre of the National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have been investigating on the IAF base. Jammu Police have registered an FIR on terrorism prices.
“Preliminary probe reveals that the payload may have been dropped from a height of at least 100 metres. The IEDs were fitted with impact charge where the detonation either happens immediately on impact or a few moments later,” one other safety institution officer stated.
“Total payload on each drone was more than 2 kg. The explosive is high grade and may be RDX, but conclusion can be drawn only after proper forensic examination,” this officer added.
Sources stated the origin of the drones stays beneath investigation.
“There is suspicion that they came from Pakistan, as such drones have earlier dropped weapons in Jammu. The distance of the base from the border (14 km) is well within the range of drones earlier flown from Pakistan. However, one can’t rule out a local launch either, so all angles are being investigated,” a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer stated.
It was additionally not clear what the goal inside the IAF base was, the sources stated.
“Unless the attackers just wanted to show that India’s key security infrastructure can be easily targeted, the drones seem to have actually missed their target, as they haven’t caused any significant damage, certainly not to our aviation infrastructure,” an officer who’s aware of particulars of the investigation informed The Indian Express.
Another officer stated drones anyway discover it troublesome to focus on with precision.
“Because of their light make and poor precision when flying with payload, they can have a dropping range of 100 m to 150 m, which means they can miss their mark by quite a distance,” this officer stated.
“So it is difficult to say what they were actually targeting at the IAF base as of now. Further investigation may throw up some leads.”
The assault, most likely the primary launched by a drone in India, is being seen with utmost seriousness by the safety institution. “If bigger payloads are dropped, it could cause extensive damage and even loss of lives. It would also be very difficult to prevent such attacks as it would be easy to launch and not involve militants crossing the border and coordinating. We don’t yet have robust tech to detect and disable drones. They are difficult to sight as well,” a safety institution officer stated.
Sources stated it was probably the investigation could be formally handed to the NIA quickly.
