Pak drones targeting Jammu airport, 3 military stations intercepted; complete blackout enforced, IPL match called off

Jammu: Indian Air Force personnel intercepted Pakistani missiles targetting Jammu airport on Thursday night as hinting that the tensions between the neighbouring countries are escalating post Operation Sindoor. Pakistan launched a fresh attack on Jammu hours after India countered its attack on 15 spots on Wednesday. According to a PTI report, Pakistan attempted to strike the Jammu airport on Thursday night. Counter-measures have been initiated and a few Pakistani drones were downed by the Indian anti-drone system, confirmed the officials.

Minutes after the reports on the Pakistan’s attack on Jammu, the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Services announced that Pakistan launched missiles and drones on military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the foiled strike, the Ministry of Defence stated that India remains “fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people.”

“Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir today,” said a spokesperson for the ministry.

“The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established standard operating procedures (SOPs),” the spokesperson added. He confirmed that there were no casualties or damage to infrastructure.

According to defence sources, Pakistan launched eight missiles at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia sector. All these missiles were swiftly intercepted by Indian Air Defence units. According to sources, Indian forces have shot down F-16 supersonic fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force. A high alert is sounded across Jammu and Kashmir and India-Pak borders.

The security forces detected Pakistani drones near the heavily-guarded airport here, said the officials. They added that sounds resembling blasts triggered panic among the people in Jammu city on Thursday night. It was not immediately known whether the airport, which also houses an Indian Air Force station, is under attack, reported PTI. According to some eyewitness, one of the drones was seen dropping outsides the airport.

Jammu plunged into darkness with electricity snapped soon after two powerful explosions were heard in the vicinity of the airport.

ANI reported that Pakistan used loitering munitions in the fresh attack, and Indian Air Defence systems responded with retaliatory fire. Sirens were reportedly heard in Kupwara, and most cities in Jammu are currently experiencing blackouts. Some TV channels reported that residents of Jammu said they heard loud explosions before the blackout was imposed.

Meanwhile, Pakistan forces resorted to shelling along LoC in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Blackout in cities of several states
As Pakistan continued air strikes, several cities of nearly six states- Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat have placed under complete blackout on Thursday night. According to a PTI report, a total blackout was enforced across Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, as sirens were heard at a few places. In Punjab, blackout was enforced in several districts, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Gurdaspur in Punjab and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, all cities are placed under blackout in Himachal Pradesh. Sources reported that several foreign travellers are stranded in Ladakh as the airlines suspended services . It is reported that locals are providing free accomodation to the stranded tourists. 

The IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharmsala on Thursday was called off following the blackout in the hill state.

In Gujarat, officials confirmed that several parts of Kutch, including Bhuj, Nalia, Nakhatrana and Gandhidham towns, have been put under total blackout as a precautionary measure to deter any offensive gesture by Pakistan. Similarly, blackouts have been declared in several villages in bordring Suigam taluka of Banaskantha district, they said. 

In Rajasthan, the administrators of border districts sounded a red alert with blackout in several cities in view of the tensions along the Line of Control. 

In Sriganganagar, police have asked the citizens to remain inside their homes and switch off lights.

"There is a red alert. Everybody stay in their homes and turn off all lights," Sriganganagar Police said on microblogging site X.

In a statement, District Collector Dr Manju too appealed people to switch off lights run with inverters and generators.

In Barmer, siren sounded for the fifth time in the day -- at the railway station, main market and district collectorate.

Sirens sounded in Jaisalmer city as well. People switched off lights as the city echoed with explosion sounds, which were possibly drone attacks by Pakistan in Jaisalmer-Pokhran, according to sources.

Bikaner and Jodhpur witnessed a complete blackout, which is set to continue until further orders. District Magistrate Namrata Vrishni issued orders for blackout in Bikaner tehsil as well.