Pakistan Launches Drone Attack Against India | For the second consecutive day, Pakistan launched coordinated drone and artillery attacks across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, intensifying tensions along the India-Pakistan border. The Indian Armed Forces successfully intercepted the offensive, shooting down multiple drones and retaliating with precision strikes on Pakistani air defence sites.
The latest assault, which included 20 cities as targets, notably aimed at an air base in Awantipora, follows Thursday night’s barrage that India had also successfully neutralized. Among the sites attacked were Jammu, Samba, Rajouri, Pathankot, Amritsar, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Pokhran.
15 Drones Spotted Over Amritsar, Red Alert Issued
Amritsar witnessed the most intense drone activity, with 15 drones detected across five locations. The local administration has confirmed that most of them were neutralized mid-air. Speaking to India Today, Amritsar District Commissioner confirmed that a red alert had been issued and civilians were advised to remain indoors.
Pathankot and Jammu once again went into blackout mode, with air raid sirens blaring across the cities for the second night in a row. These areas were also among the prime targets of Pakistan’s attacks on Thursday.
According to defence officials, nine drones were shot down in Jaisalmer and one in Barmer. Simultaneously, heavy artillery exchange was reported along the Line of Control (LoC), particularly in the Kupwara, Poonch, Uri, Nowgam, Samba, and Handwara sectors.
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Sources from the Defence Ministry said that India launched armed drones targeting four air defence locations inside Pakistan, echoing Thursday’s retaliatory pattern. The attacks aimed at minimising collateral damage while disabling Pakistan’s radar and missile systems.
Civilians Urged to Stay Indoors as Blasts Rock Border Districts
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reported hearing intermittent artillery fire and explosions in the Jammu region. Posting on X, he said: “Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am.”
He also urged people in the area to avoid venturing outdoors: “Please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest safe place. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unverified stories. We will get through this together.”
Government: Air Defence Systems Fully Active, Nation Secure
The Indian government reassured the public that all attempted drone and missile intrusions were effectively countered, with no reported damage to key infrastructure. India continues to rely on a robust multi-layered air defence grid, incorporating technologies like L-70 anti-aircraft guns, Israeli C-UAS systems, Schilka vehicles, and Russian-origin S-400 Sudarshan Chakra systems.
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The renewed aggression is widely seen as part of Pakistan’s response to India’s Operation Sindoor, which on May 8 struck nine terror launchpads inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
The use of civilian aircraft as shields, as revealed by India with FlightRadar24 data, and now the expansion of attacks to a wider geographical spread, are drawing sharp international concern. Defence analysts warn that Pakistan’s strategy could spiral into a larger military escalation, even as India continues to demonstrate strategic restraint.
