Pakistan’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) called ‘Jasoos’ have been spying on security arrangements and army activities going in India through the international border adjoining Rajasthan, an Indian media report claimed on Tuesday.
In the recent past, activities of these UAVs have increased, the report said.
These UAVs can be spotted at night as sparkling red lights and have become a subject of excitement and discussion among security forces. They are active during day time also and can be recognised by the trail of smoke they leave behind, the report added. These spy planes are active across the border opposite Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Ganganagar in Rajasthan, it said.
Indian officials confirming this said Pakistan is taking help of UAVs to keep an eye on the Indian area and their activities have intensified in the past few days.
Indian officials said Pakistan had developed UAVs a few years ago with the help of America and Italy and issing them to spy on India.
They said these spy planes are active at a height of 1500m-2000m just 500 to 700 yards from the international border.
These UAVs are fitted with ultramodern powerful cameras that can capture photographs spanning many kilometers. They are operated from a distance of 25 to 30 km. Computer operators are connected to these UAVs which receive photographs sent by these drones, said sources.
Though BSF is keeping a watch over the activities of UAVs, it is not possible to take any action since they are flying within the Pakistani border, said officials. But senior officers have been informed about the UAVs, sources added.
When contacted Indian defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami said, “Our air defence units are monitoring such activities along the border. In case there is an air space violation, suitable action will be taken. All such violations are analysed and taken up with the country concerned through laid down channels per established procedures.”
He added per the international air space rules and bilateral agreements with neighbouring sovereign countries, such flying activities are permitted 10 km away from the international border, but any closer than the 10 km limit requires prior permission.
Jasoos are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developed by Pakistani company Satuma. They are controlled via remote and weigh around 20kg. Capable of doing 180 km an hour, these UAVs fly at a height of 10,000ft (3480m). Jasoos have a range of 100km, and can fly for 4-5 hours continuously with battery backup, according to the report.
