Fresh Attack – Targets 20+ cities
Pakistan’s drones targeted 20+ cities across J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat for a 2nd consecutive day in a fresh unprovoked escalation on Friday. The attacks, included one directed at an air base in Awantipora, have been thwarted by India.
The drones were fired for Jammu, Samba and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, Pathankot and Amritsar in Punjab, and Jaisalmer, Barmer and Pokhran in Rajasthan. Heavy artillery firing was reported along the LoC in the north Kashmir district of Kupwara, and in Samba, Poonch, Uri, and Nowgam Handwara sectors.
A blackout was seen and sirens sounded in Pathankot and Jammu for a second consecutive night, day after Pakistan targeted military bases there.
In Amritsar, heavy firing was reported. At least 15 drones spotted in five different areas of Amritsar and most of these have been neutralized. Amritsar DC confirmed to India Today that a red alert has been issued in the city and civilians have been asked to stay inside their homes.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also reported hearing blasts. He tweeted, “Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am.”
In another post, he urged people in and around Jammu to stay inside for the next few hours and ignore rumors.
“It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumors, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together,” he said.
The fresh firing from Pakistan came a day after a similar attack at military bases in Jammu, Udhampur and Pathankot.
The drones and missiles fired from Pakistan were successfully intercepted, the government said, adding that armed drones were launched at four air defense sites in Pakistan in retaliation.
Also read flight suspension in North India
Worth reading Operation Sindoor Mock Drills in India
Full read at TimeOfIndia.com Livemint.com
Pak’s Drones seen in Jammu, Samba and Pathankot sector
Amid tensions escalating at a drastic pace between India and Pakistan, latter’s drones were sighted in Jammu, Samba and Pathankot sector on Friday, reported defense sources.
Apart from this, explosions were heard in Jammu on Friday evening as India’s air defense intercepts Pakistani drones amid blackout. Explosions can also be heard in Poonch due to shelling from the Pakistani side.
Post Fresh Attack : Omar Abdullah makes an appeal
With Pakistani drones trying to rain on Jammu and Kashmir on the second consecutive day, Union Territory Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made an appeal to people on Friday evening to stay off the streets and stay at home or at the nearest place they can comfortably stay at for the next few hours.
Taking to X, Abdullah wrote, “It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumors, don’t spread fake or unverified stories & we will get through this together.”
What Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has said?
Earlier in the day, briefing the press, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said that Pakistan used around 300 to 400 drones on the night of May 7 and 8 to attack India.
Added that Pakistan attempted infiltration of 36 locations during its latest strike along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir border areas, and pockets of Rajasthan, Punjab and other states.
“Initial reports suggest that (drones) were Turkish Asisguard Songar drones,” Colonel Sofiya Qureshi told the media on Friday. Heavy shelling was also reportedly ongoing in Uri, in Kashmir.
LIVE – Drones sighted at 20+ locations; 3 injured, 1 critical as Pakistani drone hits Ferozepur
Drones were seen at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the North to Bhuj in the South, along both the International Border and the LoC. These include suspected armed drones. Three people were injured after a Pakistani drone hit a residential area in Ferozepur.
The report, quoting defence sources, said, “The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala.”
3 people were injured after a Pakistani drone hit a residential area in Ferozepur. One of them is in a critical condition.
The Indian Army shot down Pakistani drones during a large-scale counter-drone operation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Borders (IB) on Wednesday night.
The operation was initiated after Pakistan made unsuccessful attempts to send multiple swarm drones into Indian territory at various locations. The Indian Army Air Defense units responded swiftly, targeting the drones in areas including Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot.
Also read flight suspension in North India
Worth reading Operation Sindoor Mock Drills in India
Full read at TimeOfIndia.com Livemint.com
