J&K: Indian Army, Security Forces deploy Israeli Heron Mk-II drones to ‘hunt down’ terrorists hiding in valley

In the wake of the tragic loss of defence and security personnel, the Indian Army has deployed the Israeli-made Heron drones to track down terrorists. The relentless counter-terrorism efforts persist in the Gadole region of Kokernag located in Southern Kashmir.

According to various reports, the drones from Israel (Heron) are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance technology and are actively engaged in operations above forested regions where terrorists are suspected to have taken refuge, leveraging the dense foliage and rugged terrain to their advantage.

 Loss of Three Bravehearts

The large-scale operation involving the cutting-edge equipment commenced two days after India paid homage to Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchal and the Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhatt. Following the death of senior officers, the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated a concerted effort to track and hunt down the terrorists responsible for the attack.

Perpetrators behind the Attack  

The attack was planned and executed by The Falcon Squad, a faction under the wider umbrella of The Resistance Front and they have attributed to retaliation for the recent killing of Mohammed Riyaz a resident of Poonch, in Rawalkote situated in the POJK. Security officials have revealed that they have successfully caught and arrested two militants affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba with one identified as Uzair Khan who is a local commander.

Uzair Khan who not only joined the militant ranks in 2022, ascended to the role of Lashkar Commander in the region due to his familiarity and in-depth knowledge about the local forested terrain and the surrounding areas.

Response from Security Forces

Given the rugged terrain of the region coupled with the dense forest cover, the Indian Army has been prompted to utilize the Heron Drones as part of their strategy to flush out the terrorists hidden in the foliage and apart from the Heron Drones, the security forces are also using quadcopter drones to assist search efforts.

Furthermore, the commandos from Special Forces and additional troops were brought in and the Indian Army’s renowned counter-insurgency force of Jammu and Kashmir, the Rashtriya Rifles units have been put on high alert. Potential escape routes have also been sealed off.

Capabilities of Heron Drones

The recently introduced Heron Drones are believed to be participating in the ongoing counter-terror operations. In the month of August 2023, the Indian Air Force officially integrated the Heron Drones into its arsenal.  These advanced drones, equipped with long-range missiles and diverse weaponry possess both strike and surveillance capabilities making them suitable for monitoring border areas.

The Indian Air Force Squadrons piloting the Heron Mark-II Drones bear the title and moniker “Warden of the North” and their primary mission involves conducting surveillance operations along the shared borders with China and Pakistan. Four of these state-of-the-art drones have been strategically positioned at a forward airbase located within the northern sector.

The Deal to acquire ten Heron Mark-II drones for the Indian Armed Forces from Israel Aerospace Industries was signed in mid-January 2021. In October 2022, a media agency reported that India is negotiating with Israel to manufacture the drone in India under license.

The Heron Mark-II is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE)  Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and it represents an advanced version of the Heron UAV.  As per the Israel Aerospace Industries, the Israeli Air Force operates it and it has been inducted in the arsenals of more than 20 countries.

The most notable aspect of the Heron Mark-II is its standoff capability, allowing it to collect intelligence from considerable distances, often spanning tens of kilometres all without the need to breach borders.

The IAF Wing Commander Pankaj Rana, the commanding officer of the Drone Squadron told a news agency that the Heron Mark-II is a very competent drone as it can operate beyond the line of sight and it can surveil the entire region from the same place. He mentioned that the extended endurance of the drone offers the advantage of conducting multiple missions and addressing numerous sectors within a single mission.

Emphasizing a vital strength of the drone, he highlighted its capability to provide continuous 24×7 surveillance of targets. Furthermore, modern avionics and improved engines have increased operational aircraft ceilings.

The Indian Air Force maintains a fleet of over 180 Israeli-manufactured UAVs, including 108 Searchers made by IAI and 68 Heron 1, primarily used for surveillance and intelligence gathering. The service also operates IAI-produced Harpy UAVs equipped with high-explosive warheads designed to self-destruct upon engaging targets.