SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army has begun deploying loitering ammunition along the Line of Control (LoC) in response to a recent surge in Pakistani Army-assisted attempts to infiltrate terrorists into the Kashmir Valley. This strategic move, reported in early April 2025, aims to counter the escalating cross-border threats, particularly in sectors like Krishna Ghati and Akhnoor, where Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) and terrorist groups have intensified their activities.
Loitering munitions, often dubbed “kamikaze drones,” offer a new layer of precision and persistence to India’s border security, reflecting a shift toward advanced technology to tackle asymmetric warfare. This article examines the deployment, its operational significance, and the broader context of India-Pakistan tensions along the LoC.
The Indian Army’s adoption of this technology follows global trends, as seen in conflicts like Armenia-Azerbaijan, where drones reshaped modern warfare. India has been testing indigenous systems like the Nagastra-1, developed by Solar Industries, which offers a 30-km range and 60-minute endurance, and the Harop drone from Israel Aerospace Industries, already in service with the IAF. Recent media reports indicate that the Army has deployed these systems in “hot zones” like Poonch and Kupwara, where recent infiltration attempts have been thwarted. The munitions are likely integrated with surveillance drones, such as those used to capture footage of Pakistani bunkers in 2020, enhancing real-time targeting capabilities.
Pakistan’s strategy appears to exploit the summer months, when melting snow opens infiltration routes, as noted in a 2021 report estimating 300-415 terrorists in launch pads across the LoC . The Pakistani Army has a history of aiding such operations, often using unprovoked firing to distract Indian forces, as seen in 2020 when artillery shelling in Keran supported terrorist crossings . This pattern persists despite the 2021 ceasefire agreement, with 4,052 violations recorded in 2020 alone, and recent incidents suggesting a return to heightened aggression.
The introduction of loitering ammunition enhances the Indian Army’s ability to counter these threats with precision and speed. In Krishna Ghati, where dense forests and steep ravines provide cover for infiltrators, loitering munitions can patrol high-risk areas, detect movement, and strike without exposing troops to direct combat. This is particularly crucial after incidents like the February 2025 BAT attack, where close-quarter engagements risked Indian lives . The munitions’ ability to loiter also disrupts the enemy’s timing, forcing infiltrators to remain hidden or risk detection—a psychological deterrent as much as a tactical one.
Operationally, these systems complement existing measures like multi-tier security grids, village defence committees (VDCs), and police checkpoints, which have been strengthened since 2021 . The Army’s prior success in targeting terror launch pads—destroying several in Keran in 2020 using artillery guns —can now be replicated with greater accuracy and lower risk. Loitering munitions also reduce reliance on heavy artillery like Bofors 155 mm guns, which, while effective, caused civilian panic in past exchanges .
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