India foils missile, drone attacks in North; neutralises air defence system in Lahore-OxBig News Network

India thwarted Pakistan’s attempts to hit various locations along western border, including Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, with drones and missiles on Thursday night. This came hours after India neutralised an air defence system in Lahore in retaliation to Pakistan’s unsuccessful attacks on 15 military locations across Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir.

Also, a Pakistan air force pilot was captured by Indian security forces after he ejected from his jet over Jaisalmer.

Eight missiles fired at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia in the Jammu region were intercepted ay air defence units, defence sources said, even as a complete blackout was enforced in Jammu.

“Military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in close proximity of the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir were targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian armed forces as per standard operating procedures with kinetic and non-kinetic means,” the Ministry of Defence said.

There have also been reports of drones being used to attack Jammu, one of which is said to have hit the local airport. The airport, like several others in western India, had been shut since yesterday till further orders, said officials.

Sources said the scene over Jammu was reminiscent of Hamas-style attacks on Israel and the assessment was that the Pakistani establishment was using multiple cheap rockets to carry out attacks. Two other drones were shot down near the Jammu University.

The Army has confirmed drone attacks at several places along the western borders, including Punjab and Rajasthan, and these were being engaged effectively by the armed forces. Sources also claimed that last month operatives of Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and Hamas, a militant organisation based in West Asia, had met in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The residents of Jammu reported hearing the sounds of multiple explosions, specifically near the Jammu airport and Sunjuwan camp. It was around 8.15 pm when the first wave of drones and missiles were detected, creating panic among residents.

Eyewitnesses said that red streaks were seen at many points in the sky. The power supply was snapped to the entire region and sirens were activated.

Multiple drone attacks rocked Jalandhar city a little after 8 pm. As per reports, the UAVs were targeted at Army’s ammunition dumps at Suranussi and near the Mand police post. Sources said all UAVs were neutralised by activating the air defence system. Three loud explosions were heard. Just as the explosions at Mand ended, attacks resumed at Suranussi again around 10 pm. Attacks at both the sites were confirmed by senior police officials.

In Pathankot, there were reports of a drone attack on the airbase, which is less than 25 km from the International Border, and another at the Shahpur Kandi dam, about 4 km from the city. So far, there are no reports of any damage from the drone attacks.

Local Army and police officials were tightlipped about the impact of the attacks. A blackout was enforced in Punjab’s Pathankot and Amritsar districts.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said attempts by Pakistan to attack 15 sites were neutralised mid-air by the ‘Integrated Grid’, which comprises counter-UAV and S-400 air defence systems. The attempts by Pakistan came after the Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in PoK and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.

The MoD said Pakistan attempted to engage military targets using drones and missiles in northern and western parts of the country, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai and Bhuj. All these sites have important Army and Air Force installations, including fighter jet and UAV bases, air defence units, tank formations and transport planes. Also, Jalandhar is the headquarters of the Army’s XI Corps while the Army’s Western Command is based at Chandimandir, less than 2 km from Chandigarh.

The ministry also said Pakistan had increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) using mortars and heavy-calibre artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. “Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military,” the MoD said.

In Islamabad, an agency quoted a Pakistan army official as saying that drones were neutralised in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Miano, Karachi, Chhor and Attock.