A complete blackout was enforced in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor region on Saturday amid reports of explosions and sirens, signalling heightened military activity and a possible aerial threat.
This precautionary measure follows earlier reports of drone sightings over Punjab’s Jalandhar, where local authorities imposed a temporary blackout. “We have imposed a blackout for some time as a few drones have been reportedly sighted in Jalandhar. Forces are checking. Please be calm and follow blackout protocol,” said the Jalandhar District Collector.
The increased alert comes amid a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities. According to defence sources, the Indian Army carried out strong retaliatory actions in the Jammu sector following a series of drone attacks by the Pakistan Army on Indian cities along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).
On Friday alone, drones were sighted at 26 sensitive locations, spanning from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south. These drones are suspected to be armed, posing significant threats to both military installations and civilian populations. Key locations affected include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Jammu, Pathankot, Ferozpur, Fazilka, Bhuj, and Jaisalmer.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in Punjab’s Ferozpur, where an armed drone targeted a civilian area, leaving members of a local family severely injured. The injured were rushed for medical care, and security forces promptly sanitised the area.
India’s armed forces remain on high alert. Counter-drone systems have been deployed across strategic regions, and aerial threats are being monitored around the clock. Red streaks and loud explosions were witnessed in Jammu’s Samba sector as Indian air defences intercepted enemy drones during another blackout operation.
Similar blackout protocols have been activated in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur and Gujarat’s Santalpur taluka, reflecting the nationwide scale of preparedness.
India’s response to Pakistan’s escalation has included precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), launched after the Pahalgam terror attack. Defence officials confirmed that India continues to respond firmly to any aggression.
