No dangerous payload has been found in the balloon shot down on Jan 26, Republic Day by an IAF fighter jet near Barmer, bordering Pakistan, according to defence officials. "On the analysis of the debris, it was established that there was no dangerous payload," defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha said. Sources said that it was a private balloon and the possibility of it carrying any spying object is initially ruled out.

The IAF radar had picked up the unidentified balloon like object moving easterly in Jaisalmer area, sending the authorities into a tizzy. A fighter jet intercepted the object which was found to be balloon of about three meters diameter. "Due to heightened security alert, the balloon was shot down," Ojha said.

In May, the police had arrested a pigeon which had strayed over from Pakistan in Punjab's Pathankot. Pathankot Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Kaushal said he suspected that the pigeon had indeed landed on the Indian soil from Pakistan. When asked if the bird had any message attached to it, Kaushal said nothing of that sort had been found. "However, we are conducting investigations," the officer said, adding pigeon fanciers in the sensitive border area have told the police that Pakistani doves were easily distinguishable from their Indian brethren. Until the investigation gets over, the intruder will cool its heels at the Indian police station on a wing and a prayer.