A tense night unfolded in Jammu as air raid sirens blared and a complete power blackout was enforced, after India reportedly intercepted multiple Pakistani drones in the area around 8.50 pm on Thursday, May 8. Visuals show drones being targeted towards the Jammu airport.
As per reports, loud explosions were heard in Jammu, which was followed by alert sirens, which were also heard in Kupwara, 300 kms from Jammu.
Visuals posted by journalists on the ground showed red lights flashing against a pitch dark sky, accompanied by the sound of what is presumably Indian air defence systems intercepting them.
The key areas where interception was carried out includes Udhampur, Jammu, Akhnoor, and Pathankot.
According to television reports, Indian security forces deployed advanced air defense systems, including the S-400 and Akash, to intercept and neutralise the drones.
S-400 is a Russian-made long-range air-defence system that can spot and shoot down many targets including drones, stealth jets, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The Akash air defence missile system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a medium range, surface-to-air missile system which provides air defence against multiple air threats.
Following the terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, Indian armed forces carried out “precision strikes” at nine terrorist sites early on May 7, in the name of ‘Operation Sindoor.’
On Thursday, May 8, India’s Ministry of Defence said that Pakistan launched an unprovoked attack on 15 using drones and missiles to target several military installations across Northern and Western India. In response, the Ministry said Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on Pakistani air defence systems, including the neutralisation of a key system in Lahore.
India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations that it had targeted civilian infrastructure and religious sites, and warned that any further escalation would be met with a firm response.