A balloon bearing the words “Pakistan International Airlines” (PIA) was found inside the technical area of the Air Force Station in Agra on February 12, triggering a multi-agency probe. According to officials, the plane-shaped balloon was spotted around 9 am within the restricted technical zone of the airbase. The balloon was green and white and also carried some writing in Urdu.
After preliminary checks, it was seized and handed over to the Shahganj police station, where an FIR has been registered on a complaint from the Air Force.
Police, intelligence agencies and the Indian Air Force are examining the incident from all angles. CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being scanned to determine how the balloon entered the high-security technical zone.
The balloon is reported to be large with a thread of approximately 10 metres attached to it. The presence of the Pakistan International Airlines name and logo has raised serious security questions, particularly given heightened vigilance amid ongoing cross-border tensions.
Senior police officer Gaurav Singh said that initial examination found no technical device or toxic gas inside the balloon. “In the preliminary investigation, no technical device or toxic gas was found inside the balloon. The investigation is ongoing,” he said.
SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED NEAR BORDER AREAS
Security agencies are also looking at earlier instances of similar balloons being found in border districts. Three days ago, a balloon with “Pakistan International Airlines” written on it was recovered in Rajasthan’s Bikaner. In December 2024, a similar aircraft-shaped balloon was found, also in Bikaner.
In June 2025, another balloon carrying a logo of PIA was reported from Sri Ganganagar, and in August 2025, a similar recovery was made in Jammu’s Nai Basti locality.
While the Air Force has not yet issued an official statement, sources said the matter is being treated seriously. Investigators are probing how and why such balloons are repeatedly being found in Indian territory and whether there is any deliberate attempt behind these incidents.
The investigation is ongoing.
– Ends
Inputs from Nitin Updhyay
