<p>Srinagar: Amid escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border, multiple explosions were reported across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday evening, with drone incursions suspected to be the cause.</p><p>Blasts were heard near the highly guarded Srinagar airport, triggering immediate security responses including air defence activation and enforced blackouts across vulnerable areas. News agency <em>PTI</em> quoting unnamed officials reported that drone attacks on Srinagar airport and south Kashmir's Awantipora air base were thwarted late on Friday.</p><p>The attempted attack came a day after India thwarted attempts by the Pakistan military to attack Indian military installations using drones and missiles.</p><p>In Srinagar city, mosque loudspeakers were used to urge residents to switch off their lights and remain indoors as a precaution against possible aerial targeting. Drones were also sighted in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said, adding that countermeasures had been initiated. The sky was lit up in Baramulla district as the Indian military shot down Pakistani drones.</p><p>Though there was no immediate confirmation of damage, the incidents sparked alarm across the Valley.</p><p>In the Jammu region, reports of Pakistani drone intrusions caused widespread panic, leading to blackouts in several districts including Samba, Udhampur, and parts of Jammu city. Residents in Samba and neighbouring Pathankot in Punjab described seeing flashing lights in the sky moments before loud explosions and the sound of sirens.</p><p>“We saw lights moving in the sky, and within minutes there were sirens and loud bangs. Everything went dark after that,” said Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Samba. “It felt like war had come to our doorstep.”</p><p>J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted a photo showing the city plunged into darkness on social media platform X: “Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city.”</p>.<p>In a subsequent post, he added: “Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am,” he added.</p>.India raises concern over IMF’s $2.3 billion bailout package for Pakistan, abstains from voting.<p>While the Indian Army and security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the drone sightings or the cause of the explosions, initial reports suggest that Pakistan attempted to target several defence installations across the Union Territory using unmanned aerial vehicles. India’s air defence systems were reportedly successful in intercepting several of these drones.</p><p>The incidents come as tensions remain high along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border, with Pakistani forces continuing heavy artillery and mortar shelling for the third consecutive day following India’s Operation Sindoor. The shelling claimed at least three lives on Friday and caused damage to civilian properties in forward areas.</p>
<p>Srinagar: Amid escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border, multiple explosions were reported across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday evening, with drone incursions suspected to be the cause.</p><p>Blasts were heard near the highly guarded Srinagar airport, triggering immediate security responses including air defence activation and enforced blackouts across vulnerable areas. News agency <em>PTI</em> quoting unnamed officials reported that drone attacks on Srinagar airport and south Kashmir's Awantipora air base were thwarted late on Friday.</p><p>The attempted attack came a day after India thwarted attempts by the Pakistan military to attack Indian military installations using drones and missiles.</p><p>In Srinagar city, mosque loudspeakers were used to urge residents to switch off their lights and remain indoors as a precaution against possible aerial targeting. Drones were also sighted in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said, adding that countermeasures had been initiated. The sky was lit up in Baramulla district as the Indian military shot down Pakistani drones.</p><p>Though there was no immediate confirmation of damage, the incidents sparked alarm across the Valley.</p><p>In the Jammu region, reports of Pakistani drone intrusions caused widespread panic, leading to blackouts in several districts including Samba, Udhampur, and parts of Jammu city. Residents in Samba and neighbouring Pathankot in Punjab described seeing flashing lights in the sky moments before loud explosions and the sound of sirens.</p><p>“We saw lights moving in the sky, and within minutes there were sirens and loud bangs. Everything went dark after that,” said Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Samba. “It felt like war had come to our doorstep.”</p><p>J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted a photo showing the city plunged into darkness on social media platform X: “Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city.”</p>.<p>In a subsequent post, he added: “Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am,” he added.</p>.India raises concern over IMF’s $2.3 billion bailout package for Pakistan, abstains from voting.<p>While the Indian Army and security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the drone sightings or the cause of the explosions, initial reports suggest that Pakistan attempted to target several defence installations across the Union Territory using unmanned aerial vehicles. India’s air defence systems were reportedly successful in intercepting several of these drones.</p><p>The incidents come as tensions remain high along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border, with Pakistani forces continuing heavy artillery and mortar shelling for the third consecutive day following India’s Operation Sindoor. The shelling claimed at least three lives on Friday and caused damage to civilian properties in forward areas.</p>