The defence ministry said the situation was under "close and constant watch", and that there was no cause for panic.
Representation pic
Pakistan launched a fresh wave of drone attacks targeting 26 locations -- from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat -- for the second night on Friday, with the defence ministry saying the enemy's attempts to hit vital installations, including airports and air bases, were successfully thwarted.
Some members of a family were injured in the attack in Ferozpur, Punjab, the only known injuries in the attacks carried out after darkness fell. All the states that border Pakistan were under a blackout. The defence ministry said the situation was under "close and constant watch", and that there was no cause for panic.
It said the Indian armed forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. "Drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and Line of Control with Pakistan. These include suspected armed drones," a defence ministry spokesperson said.
"The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Awantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala," he said. "Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family," he said.
The spokesperson said the injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces. The situation is under close and constant watch and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary, the official added. The ministry advised citizens, especially in border areas, to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities.
"While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential," the spokesperson said. The latest attempt to attack Indian installations came a day after India thwarted attempts by the Pakistan military to hit Indian military installations using drones and missiles.
The sky was lit up in Baramulla district as the Indian military shot down Pakistani drones. Blasts were heard and sirens sounded in the Jammu region and south Kashmir as many parts of the Union Territory plunged into darkness, officials said.
In Srinagar, mosque loudspeakers were used to convey to locals to switch off their lights as a precautionary measure. Officials said the drones were also engaged in Udhampur and Nagrota of Jammu and Kupwara in north Kashmir. Amid all this, heavy cross-border shelling was underway along the International Border in the Suchetgarh and Ramgarh sectors of Jammu and Samba districts.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on X, said, "Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am." He also posted a picture of the city in darkness with the caption: "Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city."
In another post, he said, "It's my earnest appeal to everyone in and 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 rumours, don't spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories and we will get through this together."
On Thursday evening, Indian air defence units intercepted at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan towards the border areas of Jammu, including the strategically important Jammu airport, defence sources had said.
Likening the attack to the tactics used by Hamas, sources said all "cheap" rockets directed at the Jammu region were intercepted and neutralised by air defence units. The missiles were aimed at key locations, including Satwari (Jammu airport), Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia.
A sudden power outage had plunged Jammu city into darkness following two loud explosions, likely resulting from the interception of the intruding drones. Immediately after, sirens were blared throughout the city, alerting residents to seek shelter. The aerial objects had attempted to strike the strategic Jammu airport and its surrounding areas, which house the army, air force, and paramilitary installations.
Tension between the two neighbours soared after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
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