Shortly after PM address, Pakistan drones spotted in border areas
NEW DELHI:
Pakistani drones
breached Indian airspace over border regions of J&K, Rajasthan and Punjab late Monday, triggering
blackouts
and emergency measures, despite a pause in Indo-Pak military action.
Drones were spotted near Samba sector in Jammu division, shortly after PM Narendra Modi praised Indian forces for the success of Operation Sindoor and warned Islamabad over terrorist links.
Red streaks and explosions lit the sky, according to residents. Army sources confirmed drone movement, saying: "Being engaged. There is no need to be alarmed." No further intrusions were reported, suggesting air defences neutralised the threat.
Suspicious drone-like objects were reported over Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district around 9.30pm. Blackouts were ordered across Chirawa, Surajgarh, Sultana, and Pilani. Collector Ramavatar Meena said the move was precautionary, urging vigilance and public cooperation.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Tap Into Real-Time Signals Designed to Support Your Trading Decisions
News Portal
Try Now
Undo
Drones were also sighted in Barmer and Jaisalmer. While no official red alert was issued, Jaisalmer saw an undeclared blackout with street lighting suspended. Drone activity was concentrated in Jalipa, Munabao Gadra sector, Mohangarh, and Shahgarh.
Punjab enforced precautionary blackouts in multiple border districts Monday night. In Jalandhar, a surveillance drone was brought down near Mand village at 9.20pm, according to DC Himanshu Aggarwal. Drone incursions ceased by 10pm, but partial blackouts were ordered in parts of Jalandhar near Suranassi.
"As a precautionary measure, lights have been switched off in some areas around Suranassi as there have been reports of drone sightings. We are verifying them. There is nothing to worry, as confirmed by armed forces officers," Aggarwal said.
Amritsar re-imposed blackout at 8.45pm after air raid sirens sounded. In Hoshiarpur, DC ordered lights off in Dasuya and Mukerian, and advised voluntary compliance in remaining areas. Amritsar district administration restored the electricity supply at midnight but is still on alert.
District authorities across Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Fazilka ordered closure of all govt and private schools Tuesday under Civil Defence Act of 1968, aimed at bolstering preparedness for any potential emergency.
Teachers were directed to conduct online classes. Earlier announcements to reopen schools in Ferozepur and Fazilka were reversed by evening. However, Gurdaspur officials said schools would operate as scheduled.
(Inputs from Jammu, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, Bathinda & Amritsar)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
13 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Aravalli Green Wall Project: India's theme for this World Environment Day
Aiming to fight climate change, India will promote the Aravalli Green Wall project this World Environment Day to encourage tree plantation, combat land degradation and desertification, and create green corridors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the project on June 5. Last year's theme, 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam', continues this year. The Aravalli Green Wall Project seeks to revive the Aravalli range through various initiatives such as banning single-use plastics, promoting water conservation, and protecting natural resources. It also aims to combat land degradation and desertification by creating green corridors across 29 districts in four states: Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. The Aravalli hills landscape spans over 6 million hectares. At the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, India introduced the Aravalli Green Wall Project, which was launched in 2019. In March, the Environment Ministry released the project's action plan. The project involves planting native species of trees and shrubs on scrublands, wastelands, and degraded forest lands. It also focuses on rejuvenating and restoring surface water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and streams. Additionally, it emphasizes agroforestry and pasture development to enhance the livelihoods of local communities. Through this initiative, India aims to achieve its national goal of creating an additional 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2030, as committed in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Under the project, 1,000 nurseries will be established across the 29 districts, with funding from CAMPA, MNREGA, and other state green initiatives to ensure the survival of planted saplings. The green wall will contribute to carbon sequestration and help mitigate climate change, while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Aravalli range. Planting native tree species will provide wildlife habitat and improve water quality and quantity, contributing to reduced air pollution in India. There will also be socio-economic benefits, according to an official from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The project will be executed by various stakeholders, including central and state governments, forest departments, research institutes, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and local communities. Success will require adequate funding, technical expertise, policy coordination, and public awareness.
India Today
17 minutes ago
- India Today
Trump Gold Card to be a game-changer for Indian investors: US Commerce Secretary
The proposed Trump Gold Card, a USD 5 million pathway to permanent US residency, is expected to be a runaway success in India, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Monday, calling it a "wonderful opportunity" for Indian entrepreneurs and investors to link two powerful at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit 2025, Lutnick outlined the vision for the Trump-backed immigration initiative that would allow wealthy foreigners to gain permanent residency in the United States, much like a Green Card, only at a think the ordinary path of immigration for America is changing,' Lutnick said in his keynote. "The Trump Card is coming out. I expect the Trump Card will create an enormous opportunity for people to have the ability to come to America.' Lutnick was effusive about Indian talent and its outsized contribution to the US economy. 'The success of Indian entrepreneurs in America — individuals of Indian nationality leading and running so many of the great companies of America is because they're fantastic entrepreneurs, fantastic business people, smart, thoughtful, educated in every way.'Under the Trump Gold Card proposal, individuals would gain residency by investing $5 million. Lutnick said the program will especially resonate in India, given the nation's rising number of high-net-worth individuals eager to participate in global business.'We are going to be incredibly successful in India,' Lutnick said confidently. 'So when people ask me, 'When are you coming to India?' I'd say, 'When I launch the Trump Card, I promise you I'm coming to India.''advertisementHe added that the Gold Card offers more than just a visa —it offers a flexible tax option. 'You can become like a green card holder, the equivalent of it—it's the Trump Gold Card. You can do it that way and pay global tax, or keep everything the way it is and pay US tax on US assets, and nothing on your global assets. No inheritance tax either.'He said that creates a new class of investor: 'an international entrepreneur.'Lutnick also discussed trade and technology partnerships between the US and India, saying both nations stand to gain as America seeks to bring back advanced manufacturing while deepening its ties with trusted allies.'There are enormous numbers of product categories that we'd really like to go to India,' Lutnick said. 'India will benefit from a trade deal that gives it a better tariff relationship than most countries in the world.'In the tech space, Lutnick emphasized future collaboration. 'We want our allies to participate in the AI revolution with us. And if India is interested—and of course it is—we are ready, willing, and look forward to embracing India as a partner and friend in that path.'With immigration, trade, and tech all in play, Lutnick's remarks signal a deeper realignment in US-India ties under a Trump administration, one that bets big on Indian entrepreneurship, capital, and Watch
Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Hate speech unacceptable': TMC leader Kunal Ghosh after Sharmistha Panoli denied interim bail
Hours after social media influencer Sharmishtha Panoli's interim bail request was denied by the Calcutta high court on Tuesday, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said that 'hate speech' of any kind is 'unacceptable'. While speaking about an FIR on Wajahat Khan, the man whose police complaint led to Panoli's arrest, Ghosh clarified his party's stance on the matter. 'This is entirely a legal matter. Our position is very clear — whether it's on social media or in society at large, hate speech of any kind is unacceptable. If anyone engages in it, appropriate legal action must be taken,' he told ANI. Ghosh's remarks come after the Calcutta high court denied interim bail to Sharmistha Panoli citing that freedom of speech does not mean one can hurt some other person's or community's sentiments. Also read: Man who accused Sharmishta Panoli goes 'missing' after multiple cases against him: Report Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, who presided over the matter and denied interim bail to Panoli, said, "Look, we have freedom of speech, but that doesn't mean you will go on to hurt others. Our country is diverse, with people from different castes, creeds, and religions. We must be cautious by saying this. So, day after tomorrow. Heavens will not fall." 'This video was made on social media, it was heard, and this incident has led to a section of people's sentiments being hurt,' he was quoted as saying by Live Law. Sharmistha Panoli is a social media influencer who was arrested last week over her allegedly communal remarks in a video. The remarks were linked to Operation Sindoor. After facing backlash, Panoli had deleted the post and also issued an apology, however, she was arrested by the West Bengal Police from Haryana's Gurugram last week. Panoli is currently in judicial custody till June 13. Her lawyer, Md Samimuddin, said that the HC has directed the police to produce the case diary so that the "bail hearing can be held on June 5." He added that the high court has directed that no fresh FIR should be filed against Panoli regarding the same case and has also asked authorities to ensure basic amenities are provided to her at the correctional facility. 'We are hopeful of getting bail on the 5th," he said. With ANI inputs
