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Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Baramulla to Barmer, India blocks second wave of drone attacks
For the second consecutive night, Pakistan Friday launched swarms of drones targeting military installations in multiple cities along India's northern and western borders. While multiple drones were intercepted and shot down by air defence systems deployed by the Indian military, an armed drone fell in a civilian area in Ferozepur in Punjab, injuring members of a family. The Indian Army said Pakistani drones were sighted at 26 locations – from Baramulla in J&K to Bhuj in Gujarat – along both the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan. The locations included Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Kuar Bet and Lakhi Nala. The Army said these drones posed potential threats to civilian and military targets. It said the armed forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch, and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary. Citizens, especially in border areas, have been advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential, the Army said. Sources in the government told The Indian Express that drones used in Friday's attack will be analysed based on the debris found. Many of them were likely surveillance drones, while a few did carry explosives, such as the one used in the Ferozepur attack. They did not divulge further details, considering the sensitivity of the ongoing operation. Surveillance drones are typically used for reconnaissance of vast areas. It is learnt that nearly three dozen drones were shot down in J&K soon after Pakistan launched the attack. Many had been shot down by air defence guns. Multiple explosions were heard across different parts of the Kashmir Valley, including around Srinagar International Airport, which is adjacent to the Army's airfield. Earlier, explosions were heard near the Awantipora air base in south Kashmir's Pulwama. Just before these explosions, power was snapped in different parts of the Valley a little before 9 pm, and sirens blared near the Badamibagh cantonment in Srinagar. Officials said explosions were also heard in several places in north Kashmir's border district of Baramulla, which houses several key military installations. The simultaneous explosions in different parts of the Valley created panic, and people rushed to the lower floors to take cover. 'There was an initial blast followed by a series of blasts, seemingly in different directions,' said Ishfaq Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla. 'It happened at many places at once, and it was difficult to make sense where these explosions were happening.' He said that as he looked outside, he saw a swarm of bright flying objects. Panic also gripped parts of Punjab as multiple drone sightings and blasts were reported across border districts such as Ferozepur, Amritsar, Pathankot and Hoshiarpur. In Ferozepur, where at least three drones reportedly fell in residential areas, three persons sustained burn injuries and several houses were damaged. The state continued to enforce blackouts in most districts, with administrations shutting down markets and restaurants between 7 pm and 8 pm. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed his ministers to camp in border districts. Ferozepur, a high-security zone housing a major cantonment, witnessed a series of alarming incidents. At least three drones were reported to have come down in civilian areas, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Phase-2 and Khai Pheme Ki village near the cantonment. One of the drones fell on the house of a local businessman, Shivam Grover. Amritpal Singh, his neighbour, said, 'Fortunately, Grover and his family were in Delhi at the time, where his son is undergoing medical treatment.' The incident damaged the outer portion of the house and left residents on edge. In another part of the city, a second drone crash caused similar damage and panic. The most serious incident occurred in Khai Pheme Ki where a drone fell, resulting in a car catching fire. SSP, Ferozepur, Bhupinder Singh said three members of a family were injured and admitted to a hospital. Amritsar too was rattled after a relatively calm Thursday night. Residents reported hearing blasts and seeing drones above Ram Tirath Road near the airport and Chheharta, which lies close to the cantonment. In Lopoke town near the International Border, residents reported seeing drone-like flashes in the night sky. Intense drone activity was also reported in Pathankot, where explosions jolted residents late into the night, adding to fears across the border belt. Residents of Unchi Bassi, near Mukerian in Hoshiarpur district, said they heard nearly a dozen blasts accompanied by sharp laser lights in the sky. An Army ammunition depot is located in the area. Border districts of Rajasthan similarly reported drone sightings. In Barmer, the district administration announced a 'red alert' and posted on social media: 'Everyone should stay where they are. No one should move. The public should not panic in any way. This is a complete blackout.' In Jaisalmer, locals said 'sounds similar to yesterday' were heard for about 5-7 minutes. They also reported seeing objects being 'intercepted' in the sky. Like the night before, Jammu witnessed another blackout and sirens on Friday night. Around 8.30 pm, explosions were also heard in the city as well as in the Samba sector. 'Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city,' J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on X. He is currently in Jammu. 'Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am,' he posted. Residents told The Indian Express that the blackout was enforced a little after 8 pm. Officials also said that Pakistani troops were resorting to ceasefire violations in the Rajouri and Poonch sectors, where the Indian Army was retaliating effectively. 'It's my earnest appeal to everyone in and around Jammu, please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours,' Abdullah said.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Multiple explosions heard in Kashmir, including near Srinagar airport
Multiple explosions were heard across different parts of the Kashmir Valley on Friday night as Pakistani drones intruded into Indian airspace. While there was a blackout in the Valley on Thursday night too, this is the first time since the May 7 airstrikes by India that suspected drones have entered Kashmir's airspace. Officials said multiple explosions were heard around Srinagar International Airport, which is adjacent to the Army's airfield. Earlier, explosions were heard near the Army's Awantipora airbase in south Kashmir's Pulwama. Just before these explosions, electricity was snapped in different parts of the Kashmir Valley, and sirens blared near the Army's 15 Corps headquarters in Badamibagh cantonment in Srinagar. Officials said that explosions were also heard in several places in north Kashmir's border district of Baramulla, which houses several key military installations. The simultaneous explosions in different parts of the Valley created panic, and people rushed to the lower floors to take cover. 'There was an initial blast that was followed by a series of blasts in different directions,' said Ishfaq Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla. 'It happened at many places at once, and it was difficult to make sense of where these explosions were happening.' He said that as he looked outside, he saw a swarm of bright flying objects. Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. ... Read More
