Indian Forces Intercept 45 Drones; Schools Closed

In the evening of Thursday, Indian air defence units successfully shot down at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan, hitting sensitive border areas in Jammu, including strategically crucial Jammu Airport at Satwari, as defence sources confirmed.

All the incoming missiles, which officials have referred to as "low-cost rockets" like those used by the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas, were neutralised in mid-air by India's sophisticated air defence systems. The missiles were targeted towards high-value areas like Satwari (Jammu Airport), Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia.

Sources cited an alarming parallel with the behavior of the Pakistani Army and terrorists, pointing to a recent summit between Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Hamas operatives in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Apart from the missile strikes, a number of Pakistani drones were spotted trying to cross Indian airspace along the western border. The drones were quickly intercepted and eliminated by the Indian Air Defence System. Witnesses saw that one of the drones crashed outside the Jammu Airport perimeter.

After disabling the threat, a power cut fell suddenly over Jammu city, and two massive explosions shook it—possibly as a result of the interceptions by drones. Air raid warning sirens started blaring across the city, compelling people to stay indoors while aerial operations still went on. Flares lit up the sky, with civilians peeping from their balconies as activities on defence continued.

These, along with other military establishments in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, were also attacked by Pakistani drones and missiles close to the International Border, as per Defence Jammu's Public Relations Officer (PRO).

The threats were effectively neutralised by exercising both kinetic and non-kinetic capacities, according to defined Standard Operating Procedures. No casualty or material loss was experienced. India is fully geared up to protect its sovereignty and secure the safety of its citizens," said the PRO in a message on X (formerly Twitter).

This episode is an important escalation after India's recent precision attacks against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during Operation Sindoor. The Indian Armed Forces are on high alert as tensions across the border continue to rise.