Blackout imposed after drone sighting in Jalandhar, forces checking: DC

JALANDHAR(Punjab): A blackout has been imposed for some time after some drones were reportedly spotted in Punjab’s Jalandhar on Saturday, District Collector said.

“We have imposed a blackout for some time as some drone has been reportedly sighted in Jalandhar. Forces are checking. Please be calm and follow blackout protocol,” DC Jalandhar said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army retaliated strongly in the Jammu sector in response to the drone attacks on Indian cities by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), Defence Sources said on Saturday.

Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, drones were spotted at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday.

The drones are suspected to be armed and pose potential threats to both civilian and military targets. The locations where drones were spotted include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.

In a serious incident, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Punjab’s Ferozpur, severely injuring members of a local family. The injured received immediate medical assistance, and the area has been sanitised by security forces.

The Indian Armed Forces are on high alert. All aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. Defence sources said 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, avoid unnecessary movement, and follow safety instructions from local authorities. While officials have said there is no need to panic, they have called for heightened vigilance and precaution.

As a safety measure, a blackout has been imposed in villages of the Santalpur taluka in Gujarat’s Patan district, which borders Pakistan.

In a post on X, the Gujarat CMO advised people to stay away from rumours and follow the instructions issued by the administration.

“As a precautionary measure, a blackout has been imposed in the villages of bordering Santalpur taluka in Patan district. All the citizens are advised to stay away from rumours and follow the instructions issued by the administration from time to time,” CMO Gujarat said.

A day after its attempt to target civilian infrastructure along the Line of Control and International border was foiled by the Indian air defence, Pakistan’s drones were again sighted in the Jammu, Samba, Pathankot sector on Friday.

Red streaks could be seen, and explosions were heard in the Samba sector of Jammu as India’s air defence intercepted Pakistani drones amid a blackout.

A blackout has been enforced in the Akhnoor and Udhampur regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

India had responded through precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK to the original escalation by Pakistan through Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan has now resorted to escalation, which is being responded appropriately by the Indian Defence Forces (ANI)