Una (Himachal Pradesh), May 11 – A suspicious balloon bearing the inscription "PIA", believed to stand for Pakistan International Airways, was discovered hanging from a tree in Tatehra village of Una district on Sunday, triggering a swift response from local authorities and security agencies.
Anil Kumar, the deputy pradhan of Tatehra gram panchayat, confirmed that the local administration and police were promptly alerted upon the balloon’s discovery.
According to Superintendent of Police Rakesh Singh, both the police and intelligence agencies reached the spot and took the balloon into custody. "We have received information about a suspicious balloon and drone-like activities from Gram Panchayat Tatehra. Security agencies have seized the object and initiated a thorough investigation," he said.
He further added that all angles are being explored, surveillance in the area has been intensified, and villagers have been urged to report any unusual or suspicious activity immediately.
Residents of the village reported witnessing a drone-like object emitting a sparking light around 10 pm on Saturday. The object was seen hovering for several minutes before it disappeared abruptly.
Initial examinations suggest that the balloon had "PIA" and some Urdu text inscribed on it, reinforcing concerns about a possible cross-border connection.
This incident follows a similar episode last month in Hamirpur district, where a balloon with similar markings sparked alarm among locals.
Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin and purpose of the object.
