Drones, blackouts and sirens: What happened overnight in Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan | Delhi News

NEW DELHI: Loud explosions have been heard in Jammu metropolis early Friday morning, triggering a whole blackout simply hours after India thwarted Pakistan‘s try to focus on navy installations in border areas. The presence of loitering munitions was reported in the skies.The explosions occurred between 3.50 am and 4.45 am, shortly after sirens have been sounded. Officials stated safety forces promptly neutralised the risk. Videos circulated on-line confirmed flying objects and explosions in the sky because the threats have been intercepted.The Indian Army shot down over 50 Pakistani drones in an enormous counter-drone operation alongside the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) on Wednesday night time, sources instructed ANI. The operation was launched in response to Pakistan’s unsuccessful makes an attempt to infiltrate a number of swarm drones into Indian territory at numerous places. Army Air Defence items acted swiftly, focusing on and neutralising drones in key areas together with Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota and Pathankot. “Last night, as Pakistan made failed attempts to send swarm of drones across several locations along the LoC and IB, Indian Army Air Defence units carried out a large-scale counter-drone operation and neutralised over 50 drones in the areas of Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot,” sources stated.Overnight ceasefire violations have been additionally reported, with Pakistani troops participating in shelling and firing in the Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu districts. Indian forces responded in sort.In a publish on X, the deputy commissioner of Jammu urged residents to stay calm.In view of escalating tensions, all academic establishments—together with colleges, schools, and universities—have been ordered shut in the area.A neighborhood resident stated, “There was a complete blackout last night. After which, drones started flying and firing continued the entire night. Our forces are giving Pakistan a befitting reply. We have trust in our Prime Minister and our Army. All drones were neutralised by our forces. We are proud of our country. There is tension near the border but rest of the places are safe.”Another native stated, “As soon as we started dinner last night, we heard the sound of some explosions. Explosions were heard again at around 4:30 a.m., but they were also neutralised by our forces. There is nothing to worry about. Our forces are on alert. Bhagwati Vaishno Devi is sitting in Jammu, there is nothing to be scared of. Attacking civilians is nothing but cowardice because they (Pakistan) don’t have the courage to fight our forces.This is all that they can do. Our forces are giving a befitting reply and we are proud of them.”A 3rd native added, “Last night at around 8 PM, we saw 3-4 drones. There was retaliatory firing, which continued the entire night. What Pakistan did is not right. We are not scared. Schools are closed here.”Another resident of Jammu remarked, “Sounds of shelling and firing can be heard. Smoke was seen in the sky. There is a complete blackout. We have full faith in our army.”According to defence sources, Pakistan launched eight missiles focusing on Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia sectors, all of which have been intercepted by Indian Air Defence programs.PunjabWidespread blackouts have been enforced Thursday night time throughout a number of districts of Punjab, Chandigarh, and components of Haryana together with Panchkula, Ambala, and Sirsa, amid heightened navy tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor and the looming risk of airstrikes.Residents have been instructed to change off lights and stay indoors as sirens blared and police issued repeated public bulletins. Blackout orders have been issued in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Faridkot districts.In Pathankot, the blackout started at 8:30 pm, across the time of reported air raid alerts. In Gurdaspur, it started at 9 pm and was prolonged indefinitely. Key amenities like hospitals and prisons have been exempted from the blackout, although instructed to maintain home windows shut.Security drills have been carried out in Kapurthala and Phagwara as a precaution. Hospitals close to the border have been directed to make sure uninterrupted energy provide, keep emergency water and gas reserves, and preserve backup mills prepared.Explosions have been reported round 10.30 pm in Bathinda after witnesses noticed fireballs in the sky. Three to 4 blasts have been heard in speedy succession, prompting a right away blackout. Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal confirmed an explosion close to the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) plant and stated the armed forces have been investigating.

Credit: TNN (Location: Chandigarh)

Meanwhile, drone assaults have been neutralised in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar. A possible assault close to Uchi Bassi village, near Mukerian, was averted, and a projectile was recovered from close by fields. Hoshiarpur’s deputy commissioner issued a blackout order following the incident.Later that night time, one other drone try was foiled in Jalandhar’s Maqsudan/Suranasi space. Jalandhar DC Himanshu Aggarwal assured the general public that the majority drones had been neutralised and no civilians have been focused.Earlier on Thursday morning, explosions and the sight of fireballs in the sky triggered panic in Amritsar. Reports of “missile debris” emerged from a number of villages. Around 1am, six loud explosions have been heard inside a span of seven minutes, adopted by a city-wide blackout. While the district administration attributed the noise to attainable sonic booms, the occasion left residents alarmed.Authorities launched solely a quick assertion, saying “Amritsar is safe,” with DC Sakshi Sawhney including, “We are observing precaution, there is no need to panic.” The metropolis underwent two blackouts that night time. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Bhullar acknowledged these have been precautionary responses to the loud sounds.By morning, particles believed to be from missiles was discovered in the villages of Makhanwindi, Jethuwal, Pandher, and Dudhala. Locals captured photos and selfies with the fragments. Authorities didn’t disclose precise restoration places, although a senior police officer confirmed Army groups had been despatched to gather the wreckage.RajasthanLoud explosions have been reported in Jaisalmer on Thursday night time as blackouts have been enforced throughout western Rajasthan districts bordering Pakistan, plunging the realm into darkness. A senior official confirmed a sequence of blasts that continued for almost an hour after a quick pause.As panic unfold, police patrols elevated and sirens have been sounded in Barmer a number of instances. Officials confirmed that safety forces stay on excessive alert.The state of affairs escalated after Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday, focusing on terror launchpads. The strikes have been in response to the April 22 terror assault in Pahalgam, the place 26 civilians have been killed.A neighborhood in Jaisalmer stated, “When blackout happened at 9 in the night, we heard the explosions. Earlier, we thought it was firecrackers, but later we realised it was a real bomb, targeted at us. We never thought of experiencing this. We are happy that our government diffused all the Pakistani drones. There is no atmosphere of fear. Indian air defence system is completely efficient.”In response to the border tensions, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma held a high-level evaluation assembly with the chief secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, Director General of Intelligence, and the Additional Director General of Law and Order.The assembly adopted Pakistani drone exercise intercepted by Indian defences in Jaisalmer. Explosions and flashes have been seen in the sky. Blackouts have been additionally imposed in Bikaner and components of Punjab, in addition to Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Samba, Jammu, Amritsar, and Jalandhar.Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah additionally chaired a gathering with the heads of border guarding forces to evaluate the bottom state of affairs. He individually met with the Director General of CISF to evaluation airport safety.According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, Pakistan focused navy stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur utilizing drones and missiles. These assaults have been efficiently neutralised by Indian forces. The official publish learn:“Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu & Kashmir, targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian Armed Forces as per SoP with kinetic & non-kinetic means.”India had earlier responded to the April 22 Pahalgam assault with Operation Sindoor, focusing on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK via precision strikes. The authorities has made it clear that any additional assaults on Indian navy installations shall be met with an applicable response.