JammuEncounters Reported Drone Attack, Sirens Blare, Power Cut, F-16 Jet Downed; Watch Footage Here
Lights Out: India-Pakistan Tensions Roil Jammu and Kashmir
Last night, jam-packed Jammu and Kashmir hit the snooze button on its nightlife as a sudden blackout enveloped parts of the region. The cause? Suspected Pakistani drones and low-flying missiles zipping towards sensitive military zones – including the Jammu airport. The ambient soundtrack? Sirens screeching through Akhnoor sector and other Jammu Division areas, accompanied by alarming reports of explosions near the airport.
Residents hunkered down indoors, following the urgent plea of the security forces who beefed up monitoring and reaction mechanisms under high alert. It turns out that the Indian military was in the hot seat; successfully intercepting a low-range missile that had been launched from the border. Bonus points, they also managed to shoot down a Pakistani drone hovering around the Jammu area, averting a potential major security disaster.
The suspected aerial attacks didn't end there. Similar drone sightings were reported in Udhampur, Akhnoor, and Pathankot, stirring concern about synchronized airborne threats. Consequently, authorities imposed a precautionary blackout in numerous locations to minimize the exposure of strategic targets and safeguard civilians. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far.
The nocturnal ruckus comes just days after India's Operation Sindoor, which unleashed precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 innocent souls dead. Speaking to the press, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that India's response has been restrained, targeted, and exclusively aimed at non-civilian, non-military installations.
"We didn't initiate this escalation; Pakistan did on April 22," Misri explained. "Additional actions by Pakistan, as demonstrated today, reflect a new escalation and will be met with an appropriate response."
In a closed-door meeting with party leaders, the government announced that more than 100 terrorists had been neutralized during pre-dawn raids on Wednesday. The Defense Ministry, meanwhile, confirmed that Pakistani drones and missiles targeted several Indian cities, including Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Phalodi, and Bhuj on May 7. India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defenses successfully nullified these threats.
Remain calm, folks; fait accompli seems to be the new mantra. On Thursday morning, Indian military launched a counter-attack on Pakistani Air Defenses, reportedly demolishing an essential facility in Lahore. Simultaneously, Pakistan amped up unprovoked artillery shelling across the Line of Control (LoC), leaving 16 civilians dead in Jammu and Kashmir – including 3 women and 5 kids.
The Defense Ministry stated, "India will respond only to provocation, but remains hopeful for peace provided it is reciprocated by Pakistan." The tightrope act continues, folks. Keep your fingers crossed and your eyes wide open.
Pakistani Strikes Back: Loitering Munitions and Mourning in the Valley
Tensions ascended yet another notch when Pakistan ratcheted up its offensive against Jammu on Thursday. Picking up where India left off, Pakistan fired loitering munitions at military installations in Jammu. Indian Air Defenses retaliated, and a blackout was imposed in all districts of Jammu, Kishtwar, and Akhnoor in the Jammu Division as a precautionary measure. The jack-in-the-box drama ensued, with sirens wailing in every district.
India's retaliation has been "restrained, targeted, and limited to non-civilian, non-military installations," according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. This angry dance of response and counter-response followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives.
During a private gathering with party leaders, the government reported that over 100 terrorists were eliminated during pre-dawn raids on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry confirmed that Pakistani drones and missiles attempted to strike various Indian cities on the evening of May 7, including Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Phalodi, and Bhuj.
India successfully repelled these attacks using its Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defenses systems. Scraps left from these jaw-dropping clashes were discovered in multiple locations, providing firm evidence of Pakistan's aggression.
On the flip side, Pakistan has not been shy about unprovoked artillery shelling across the LoC – leaving 16 civilians dead in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. The Defence Ministry bravely stated its commitment to de-escalation, emphasizing, "India will act only in response to provocation, but remains hopeful for peace provided it is reciprocated by Pakistan."
- The ongoing conflict in Kashmir was highlighted once again as Pakistani drones and missiles targeted Jammu, reigniting tensions between the two nations.
- In response to the escalation, Indian drone and air defense systems successfully thwarted the suspected attacks, preventing a potential breach in security.
- As political leaders met to discuss the ongoing war-and-conflicts, they emphasized the importance of restraint and de-escalation in order to avoid further violence.
- Meanwhile, in the world of general news, crime-and-justice, and sports, the incident in Jammu served as a reminder of the complexities of the region and the need for peace.
- As the two nations continue to exchange blows, the people of Kashmir remain at the mercy of ongoing war-and-conflicts, with civilians suffering the brunt of the violence.
