Army's mini-UAV falls into Pakistani territory after 'technical malfunction'

New Delhi, August 23

A mini tactical drone of the Indian Army inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistani side of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir following a “technical glitch”, officials on Friday said.

The Pakistani troops recovered the unmanned aerial vehicle, according to reports.

The Army sent a message on the hotline to the Pakistani Army to return the drone.

“At 9.25 am, a mini UAV on a training mission well within Indian territory lost control due to technical malfunction and drifted into the Nikial sector of Pakistan opposite our Bhimber Gali sector,” said an official.

“As per media inputs, Pakistani troops have recovered the same. A hotline message has been sent to the Pakistan Army to return the said UAV,” he said.

The UAV was on a test training sortie in the hinterland in Bhimber Gali area, according to officials.