Amid Pakistani attack, complete blackout in several Indian cities

New Delhi (India) May 9: Pakistan used drones and missiles to strike border regions in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday night. The Pakistani military began fire with artillery this evening on Jammu, Pathankot, Punjab, and Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, representing an important rise in tensions. Indian air defense systems destroyed all Pakistani drones and rockets. 

Shesh Paul Vaid, former Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir said that “Complete blackout in Jammu. Loud explosions — bombing, shelling, or missile strikes suspected. Fret not — Mata Vishnu Devi is with us, and so are valiant Indian Armed Forces.” 

The Defence ministry said military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were attacked by the Pakistani army

"The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures. No casualties or material losses were reported," the ministry said in a post on X.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry stated that, "India has negated Pakistan's escalation bid with focused, measured and non-escalatory response. Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military".

All airlines and airports nationwide have been instructed to strengthen security by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

Increased air marshal deployment on flights, more rigorous vehicle and passenger checks at entry points, including random baggage screening, full CCTV surveillance, restricted terminal access allowing only passengers with valid tickets, and mandatory secondary security checks for all passengers prior to boarding are just a few of the improved measures.

As pieces of Pakistani drones and missiles fired by India's air defense systems were visible in the sky, Jammu, Rajouri, Udhampur, Samba, and Srinagar turned dark. This comes as sirens and blackouts were started throughout the area on Thursday after several loud explosions were reported in Jammu.

In Akhnoor, Samba, Baramulla, and Kupwara, sirens were also heard.

Both Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur are in total darkness.

A total restriction on the usage of fireworks in each of the six border districts—Amritsar, Taran Taran, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Pathankot—had already been issued by the deputy commissioners of those districts.

Jaisalmer, which borders Pakistan, is completely under darkness due to firing from the Pakistani side. Bikaner and Sriganganagar also had blackouts.

Twenty kilometers before the Phalodi Air Force deployment, a Pakistani drone was shot down.

Regarding the tension that grew on the border, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma had a high-level meeting at his home on Thursday. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, DG Intelligence, and ADG Law and Order.

The Delhi Capitals are playing against Punjab at Dharamshala in an IPL match and three of the four floodlight towers have gone out. Later, the game was canceled.

India has responded to Pakistani drone strikes by deploying the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra, L-70, Zsu-23, and Schilka air defense systems.

After Islamabad's strikes at many sites in Jammu and Punjab, India's air defense system shot down Pakistan's F-16 aircraft.

Aadrika Tayal