In a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, defence sources confirmed on Friday that armed drones originating from Pakistan were spotted at 26 locations spanning from Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir to Bhuj in Gujarat. The sightings occurred along both the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC), raising concerns over potential threats to both civilian and military targets.
The drone activity was reported in strategically sensitive areas including Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.
One of the most serious incidents took place in Punjab’s Ferozpur district, where an armed drone targeted a civilian area, resulting in severe injuries to members of a local family. Emergency services responded promptly, and security forces have since sanitised the area.
In response, the Indian Armed Forces have been placed on high alert. Counter-drone systems are actively tracking and neutralising aerial threats, and the situation is being closely monitored, defence officials said. Citizens in border areas have been advised to remain indoors, restrict movement, and adhere to safety protocols issued by local authorities.
As a preventive measure, blackout protocols have been enforced in several sensitive areas. In Gujarat’s Patan district, the administration has implemented a blackout in border villages of Santalpur taluka. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) of Gujarat urged residents to stay calm, avoid rumours, and follow official advisories.
“Blackout has been imposed in the villages of bordering Santalpur taluka in Patan district as a precautionary measure. Citizens are advised to stay away from rumours and follow instructions issued by the administration,” the CMO said in a post on social media platform X.
Similar blackout measures have been implemented in Akhnoor and Udhampur regions of Jammu and Kashmir. On Friday, red tracer fire and loud explosions were witnessed in the Samba sector of Jammu, where Indian air defence units intercepted Pakistani drones during the blackout.
This wave of drone incursions comes a day after Indian air defence forces successfully thwarted an earlier attempt by Pakistan to target civilian infrastructure along the LoC and International Border. India has since conducted precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), in retaliation for a terror attack in Pahalgam believed to have been orchestrated from across the border.
The Indian Defence Forces continue to respond assertively to ongoing provocations, maintaining vigilance and preparedness amid the heightened threat environment.