Eight missiles from Pakistan were launched towards Jammu’s Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia areas on Thursday night, The Indian Express reported, citing sources in the Defence Ministry. All missiles were reportedly intercepted or neutralised by Indian Air Defence Units.
”Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot & Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in J&K today. The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). No casualties or material losses were reported,” said the ministry.
“India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people,” it added in the statement.
From Thursday evening, Jammu experienced a total blackout, with residents reporting sightings of missile trails in the sky, locals told Maktoob.
Residents also reported hearing sirens in several areas.
In an advisory, Jammu police instructed citizens “to switch off all types of lights during the blackout period” and to “stay indoors at safe places.” “No unnecessary vehicular movement should be taken,” the advisory added.
Shortly before 10 PM, Srinagar also experienced a blackout. The airport in Srinagar was placed on high alert and defence systems were activated.
Blackouts were reported in several districts of Punjab and Rajasthan as well.
In Punjab, instructions were issued in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Chandigarh. A blackout was enforced in Mohali and in neighbouring Panchkula, which is in Haryana.
In Rajasthan, the border districts of Jaisalmer and Bikaner reported sightings of what appeared to be drones or missiles, which were also intercepted by air defence systems.
Earlier, India had stated that Pakistan launched missiles and drones in an attempt to target 15 Indian military installations across the northern and western sectors, from Srinagar to Bhuj. In response, the Indian armed forces said they struck “air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan” and had “neutralised” an air defence system in Lahore.
