Blackout In Srinagar After Jammu Sees Air Defence Intercept Pak Drones, CM Omar Appeals To Stay Indoors
A complete blackout was enforced in Srinagar while residents of Jammu reeled under the sounds of explosions and blaring sirens as defence systems intercepted multiple Pakistani drones.
A complete blackout was enforced in Srinagar on Friday night, while residents of Jammu reeled under the sounds of explosions and blaring sirens as India’s air defence systems intercepted multiple Pakistani drones, amid heightened tensions following Operation Sindoor.
Watch: A blackout is being enforced in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
— IANS (@ians_india) May 9, 2025
(Deferred visuals) pic.twitter.com/je3mesfWvv
Heavy artillery fire and explosions can be heard in Samba as drones have been sighted in Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot districts. Indian military officials said they are being engaged, PTI reported.
#WATCH | J&K | Heavy artillery fire and explosions can be heard in Samba
— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
(Visuals deferred by an unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/TlNoDwDK7S
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to X (formerly Twitter) to urge residents to stay safe. “It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu, please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together,” he posted.
It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 9, 2025
In another update, he noted the situation on the ground: “Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am.” Sharing a photo of the darkened city skyline, he added, “Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city.”
Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 9, 2025
According to news agency PTI, officials said the Jammu region was plunged into darkness for a second consecutive night on Friday as sirens echoed across the city. Loud explosions were reported as Indian air defence units intercepted aerial objects believed to be drones. Drones were sighted in Jammu, Samba and the adjoining Pathankot district in Punjab and were engaged by security forces.
In Srinagar, mosque loudspeakers were used to instruct residents to switch off their lights as a precautionary measure, PTI's report stated. The fresh tensions follow India’s targeted strikes on terror hideouts in Pakistan earlier this week as part of Operation Sindoor, leading to intensified shelling from across the border.
Pak Adopts Hamas-Style 'Cheap' Rocket Attacks Aimed To Inflict Damage On Civilian, Military Infra
According to defence sources cited in the PTI report, at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan on Thursday evening were successfully intercepted by Indian air defence units. The rockets were reportedly aimed at critical locations including Satwari (near Jammu airport), Samba, RS Pura and Arnia.
Drawing parallels with the tactics of the Palestinian group Hamas, the defence sources said the rockets were “cheap” and aimed to inflict damage on civilian and military infrastructure, including the strategic Jammu airport which also houses army, air force and paramilitary installations.
A sudden power outage followed by two loud explosions rocked Jammu, likely caused by the interception of intruding drones. Soon after, sirens blared across the city, warning people to take shelter.
Officials have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid sharing or acting on unverified information, while the security situation continues to be closely monitored.
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