Sri Ganganagar
A balloon marked “PIA” was found in a farmer's field in Joiyawali village of Sri Ganganagar district, prompting authorities to launch an inquiry into its origin.
According to Superintendent of Police Hari Shankar, the balloon was recovered from an agricultural field under the jurisdiction of Jaitsar Police Station. It has since been secured, and relevant agencies have been informed for further examination.
The object was first noticed by a local farmer, Manpreet Singh, while he was tending to irrigation work. He spotted the inflated balloon near the boundary of his field, tied to a string about three feet long, and promptly alerted the police.
Police personnel reached the spot soon after, and the Intelligence Department has also been notified. Officials are currently investigating the balloon’s origin and assessing whether it carried any suspicious material.
Preliminary suspicion suggests that the balloon may have drifted across the border from Pakistan, possibly during recent Eid celebrations. Similar balloons bearing the “PIA” marking have been reported in the region earlier as well, including a recent recovery in another nearby village.
READ MORE: Col Sofiya Qureshi redefined the role of women in Military
The incident comes amid heightened vigilance along border areas. In recent months, there have been instances of drone sightings and arms recoveries in border districts, leading security agencies to remain on alert.