Border on high alert: Pakistan offensive repelled again

New Delhi | Srinagar: The Indian Army late on Friday said drones from Pakistan had been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and the Line of Control, ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the west, marking another night of such attacks.

These include suspected armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets. The locations included Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala, according to an official statement.

Armed forces are maintaining a high state of alert and all aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems, the army said in a release. The situation is under close and constant watch and prompt action is being taken, it said. "An armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozepur, resulting in severe injuries to members of a local family," it said. "The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces."

The army urged citizens, especially in border areas, to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement and strictly follow instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential, it said.

Also Read: From Baramulla to Bhuj, India thwarts Pakistani drones at 26 locations amid rising tensions

Power was cut in the Jammu division at around 8:15 pm, following multiple drones being spotted. Locals in Jammu shared videos of the purported drone attack and said this was happening for the second consecutive night. "Complete blackout in Jammu. Loud explosions-bombing, shelling, or missile strikes suspected," former J&K police chief SP Vaid, who lives in Jammu, posted on social media.

J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Jammu, asked people to stay home for the next few hours. "Ignore rumours, don't spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together," he said.

Targeting Military Installations
Earlier on Friday, Indian officials had held a briefing in the capital on the state of the conflict.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharply on the night of May 8 and into the early hours of May 9, following a series of cross-border military engagements involving drones and missiles.

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Pakistan fired missiles and sent drones, targeting Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan. Explosions were reported in Jammu, including areas such as RS Pura, Arnia, Samba and Hiranagar as well as in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer. Indian air defence systems, including the advanced S-400 missile system, successfully intercepted these threats, preventing casualties and damage to military assets.

Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite launching a failed, unprovoked drone and missile attack on Wednesday.

On Friday, the Indian government said that on the night of May 7-8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times through Turkish-origin drones across the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure.

"The Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations," said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during a press conference on Friday. The armed forces are analysing the drones, she said.

"The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence," she said. "Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones." A Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) also tried to attack the military station in Bhatinda, but the attempt was thwarted, said Qureshi.

Pakistan's attempts to violate India's airspace were repulsed.