NEW DELHI: Loud explosions were heard in Jammu city early on Friday morning, May 9, 2025, triggering a complete blackout just hours after India thwarted Pakistan's attempt to target military installations in border regions. The presence of loitering munitions was reported in the skies, leading to heightened tensions in the area. The explosions occurred between 3:50 AM and 4:45 AM, shortly after sirens were sounded, and security forces promptly neutralized the threat.
According to sources, the Indian Army shot down over 50 Pakistani drones in a massive counter-drone operation along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) on Wednesday night, May 7, 2025. Army Air Defence units acted swiftly, targeting and neutralizing drones in key areas including Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot. "Last night, as Pakistan made failed attempts to send a swarm of drones across several locations along the LoC and IB, Indian Army Air Defence units carried out a large-scale counter-drone operation and neutralized over 50 drones in the areas of Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot," sources told ANI.
Overnight ceasefire violations were also reported, with Pakistani troops engaging in shelling and firing in the Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu districts. Indian forces responded in kind, further escalating the situation. In a post on X, the deputy commissioner of Jammu urged residents to remain calm. In view of escalating tensions, all educational institutions—including schools, colleges, and universities—have been ordered shut in the region.
A local resident recounted the night’s events, stating, "There was a complete blackout last night. After which, drones started flying and firing continued the entire night. Our forces are giving Pakistan a befitting reply. We have trust in our Prime Minister and our Army. All drones were neutralized by our forces. We are proud of our country. There is tension near the border but rest of the places are safe." Another local added, "As soon as we started dinner last night, we heard the sound of some explosions. Explosions were heard again at around 4:30 AM, but they were also neutralized by our forces. There is nothing to worry about. Our forces are on alert. Bhagwati Vaishno Devi is sitting in Jammu, there is nothing to be scared of."
In response to the heightened military tensions, widespread blackouts were enforced on Thursday night, May 8, 2025, across several districts of Punjab, Chandigarh, and parts of Haryana including Panchkula, Ambala, and Sirsa. Residents were instructed to switch off lights and remain indoors as sirens blared and police issued repeated public announcements. Blackout orders were issued in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Faridkot districts. In Pathankot, the blackout began at 8:30 PM, around the time of reported air raid alerts. In Gurdaspur, it began at 9 PM and was extended indefinitely.
Explosions were reported around 10:30 PM on Thursday in Bathinda after witnesses saw fireballs in the sky. Three to four blasts were heard in rapid succession, prompting an immediate blackout. Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal confirmed an explosion near the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) plant and said the armed forces were investigating. Drone attacks were neutralized in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar, with a potential attack near Uchi Bassi village, close to Mukerian, being averted.
Earlier on Thursday morning, explosions and the sight of fireballs triggered panic in Amritsar. Around 1 AM, six loud explosions were heard within a span of seven minutes, followed by a city-wide blackout. The district administration attributed the noise to possible sonic booms, but the event alarmed residents. Authorities released only a brief statement saying, "Amritsar is safe," with DC Sakshi Sawhney adding, "We are observing precaution; there is no need to panic." The city underwent two blackouts that night, with police commissioner Gurpreet Bhullar stating these were precautionary responses to the loud sounds.
In western Rajasthan, loud explosions were reported in Jaisalmer on Thursday night as blackouts were enforced across districts bordering Pakistan, plunging the area into darkness. A senior official confirmed a series of blasts that continued for nearly an hour after a brief pause. This escalation followed Indian armed forces carrying out precision strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday, targeting terror launchpads in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma held a high-level review meeting with key officials to assess the situation. The Indian Armed Forces remain on high alert, using counter-drone systems to monitor and respond to threats. In one concerning incident, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, injuring members of a local family. The injured were provided medical aid, and the area was promptly sanitized by Indian security forces.
As tensions continue to rise, the Sirsa district administration in Haryana issued an urgent advisory on Friday, May 9, 2025, asking residents to stay indoors after dark, avoid unnecessary movement, and switch off all lights. Sirsa, a strategically located city in western Haryana, lies just over 250 km from New Delhi and near the Thar desert. Given its proximity to sensitive regions, the alert follows a nationwide security response to recent escalations with Pakistan.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) earlier confirmed sightings of drones at 26 different locations along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC), including Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, and Jaisalmer. The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, using counter-drone systems to monitor and respond to threats. Citizens, especially those living near border areas, are advised to remain vigilant, comply with all official instructions, and avoid falling for rumors.
As India continues to respond to ongoing cross-border challenges, district-level precautions like the blackout in Sirsa are part of a wider civil defense mechanism aimed at protecting both civilians and infrastructure from potential aerial attacks.
