SOURCE: AFI
According to several Pakistani OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) handles on X (formerly Twitter), a drone believed to belong to Indian forces reportedly crossed the Line of Control (LoC) from Peer Kalanjar and subsequently disappeared into the forests near the village of Sritanghal, in Kotli, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The wreckage of the drone was later located with the assistance of Pakistani security forces and is currently in the custody of Pakistani Special Forces.
Images posted by these OSINT handles suggest that the drone is likely a SWITCH UAV, a fixed-wing and VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The SWITCH UAV, manufactured by ideaForge, is designed for tactical operations and is known for its capability to transition between fixed-wing flight for endurance and VTOL mode for precise take-offs and landings. With a range of approximately 15 km, the SWITCH UAV is typically used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
It is speculated that the UAV might have lost control of its operator, leading to its crash in the forested area near Sritanghal. The images circulating on social media show what appears to be the remains of a SWITCH UAV, raising questions about its mission and purpose near the LoC.
In response to these reports, the Indian Army has confirmed that at 9:25 am, a Mini UAV on a training mission within Indian territory experienced a technical malfunction and drifted into the Nikial Sector of Pakistan, opposite the Bhimber Gali Sector on the Indian side. According to the Indian Army, the drone lost control due to a technical issue, resulting in its unintentional crossing of the LoC. “As per media inputs, Pakistani troops have recovered the UAV,” the Indian Army stated, adding that a hotline message has been sent to the Pakistan Army requesting the return of the UAV.