India Pakistan Tension Highlights: ‘Drone activity spotted, stay inside and observe blackout’, says Barmer administration

Indian Army Air Defence units intercepted and destroyed multiple Pakistani Kamikaze drones early Saturday morning after they crossed into Indian airspace over Punjab’s Amritsar district, defence sources confirmed. Identified as Byker YIHA III drones, the hostile UAVs were launched around 5 am and targeted densely populated civilian zones.

The Army’s quick-reaction air defence guns neutralized the drones within seconds, preventing potential casualties or damage. Initial investigations reveal the drones carried high-explosive payloads intended for mass harm. No civilian injuries or structural damage were reported, marking a successful defensive operation along the tense border region.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia relief for families of those killed in recent Pakistan shelling, following heightened tensions after Operation Sindoor.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister’s Office expressed deep sorrow over the civilian casualties, stating, “No compensation can replace a loved one or heal the trauma, but this is a gesture of support and solidarity.”

The government affirmed its commitment to alleviating the hardships of affected citizens and extended condolences to the grieving families during this time of crisis and conflict.

Amid escalating hostilities, Indian forces on Saturday recovered a Turkish-origin Kamikaze drone in Naushera, Jammu and Kashmir, following Pakistan’s continued targeting of civilian infrastructure. An Indian official confirmed that Pakistan attempted multiple drone intrusions across India’s western border to test air defences.

In Punjab’s Amritsar, the Army shot down Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones launched at residential areas around 5 AM. Debris from an unidentified projectile was also found in Mughlani Kot village. Defence officials condemned Pakistan’s actions as deliberate attempts to target civilians and destabilize border regions with foreign-origin drone technology.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis strongly condemned Pakistan’s aggressive attempts at disrupting normalcy in India, labelling the neighbour as a “terrorist country”.

“Pakistan is a terrorist country; it has always supported terrorism. However, India will not stop now. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, our army is giving an appropriate response. We are proud of our army,” Fadnavis stated.

“Just yesterday, we held a meeting based on the war book to determine the precautions we should take. We are taking those necessary measures. All district units have been provided with the required information and resources,” the Maharashtra CM added.

The government on Saturday issued an advisory urging all media channels to avoid using civil defence air raid siren sounds in their programmes, except for community awareness campaigns.

The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards cited provisions under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, to issue the advisory. It warned that frequent, non-essential use of such sirens could reduce public sensitivity and lead to confusion during actual emergencies.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those killed in Pakistani shelling across the Union Territory. In the past four days, the shelling claimed the lives of an additional district development commissioner and 19 villagers in the Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu, and Baramulla sectors. This comes after Indian forces targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites along the border on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. The casualties include 12 civilians in Poonch on Wednesday, two more in Uri and Poonch on Friday, and five, including a senior government officer, on Saturday morning.

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, civilian flights at Kangra Airport (Gaggal) have been suspended until 5:29 AM on May 15, 2025. Confirming the closure, airport director Dhirendra Singh told ANI that the airport will remain operational exclusively for military activities. “Security at the airport has been increased, and the airport is available for any military activities,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level security meeting with key defence and security officials amid rising tensions with Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

India’s airstrikes on May 7 in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir resulted in the elimination of several high-ranking terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), according to sources. Among those killed were key operatives deeply involved in planning, training, and executing terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel has strongly condemned the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan amid escalating tensions. Speaking on the issue, Baghel said the Indian Army conducts precise, targeted strikes against terror bases, unlike the Pakistani side, which, he suggested, may lack even basic drone-handling capabilities.

He accused Pakistan of violating both international norms and the ceasefire agreement, while reaffirming Congress’s stance on national unity. “The entire country stands with the Indian Army,” Baghel stated, denouncing attacks on civilians from across the border.

As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, the Punjab government has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of students in the state. The state has issued a directive to all universities and colleges, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding students and ensuring no one is compelled to leave campus due to security concerns.

In a recent statement on X, Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains highlighted that institutions must not force students to vacate their campuses under any circumstances related to safety, transport, or personal issues.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has revealed that the state’s Chief Minister will hold a meeting to review the internal security situation. The meeting will focus on evaluating advisories from the Indian government and determining the state’s preparedness for any war-like situation. Steps have already been initiated for civil defense, and law and order, as well as the availability of essential commodities, will be assessed. Parameshwara also highlighted concerns over misinformation being spread, urging that false information be countered. To tackle this, he has called a meeting with the IT & BT department, Priyank Kharge, and the Internal Security Department.

Defence expert Sanjeev Srivastava said India will respond decisively if Pakistan continues to escalate tensions. Following the death of a Rajouri official in Pakistani shelling, India launched precision strikes on at least four Pakistani airbases. According to Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Operation Sindoor targeted command centres, radar sites, and ammunition depots in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot. She emphasised that all strikes aimed to minimise collateral damage. Srivastava said Indian forces have superiority and warned Pakistan of severe consequences if it pushes the situation toward full-scale conflict.

As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday urged India to take the lead in de-escalating the situation. She said this is a moment for India to rise above hostilities and assert its true strength through diplomacy and peace.

“India should embrace its leadership role in the subcontinent and take the first step to de-escalate. The world is watching us,” Mufti posted on X. “This is the time to show that our strength lies not in nukes but in our soft power and commitment to peace.”

Mufti also highlighted shifting U.S. involvement in the conflict, noting that while U.S. Vice President Venice had earlier indicated limited intervention, Secretary of State Marc Rubio has now reached out to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, urging restraint.

“India, as the world’s largest democracy and a rising global power, must not depend on inconsistent international support. It must lead by example,” she added.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday reviewed the security situation in border districts affected by intense cross-border shelling by Pakistani troops.

“Reviewed security situation in the border districts. Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to unprovoked shelling by Pakistan,” the LG stated on his X handle.

Sinha also expressed sorrow over the death of a senior administration officer, Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa, in Pakistani shelling in Rajouri district. “We have lost brave citizens, including our ADDC Rajouri, Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa, in the line of duty. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he added.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the Indian forces targeted and struck eight Pakistani military sites, which included:

Rafiqui

Murid

Chaklala

Rahim Yar Khan

Sukkur

Chuniya

Radar site at Pasroor

Sialkot Aviation Base

Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, a woman was injured in cross-border firing in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir. She was hospitalized with a stable condition, while her family expressed unwavering support for the Indian Army, calling for stronger action against Pakistan.

The woman’s father-in-law recounted the incident, saying, “My daughter-in-law was going when a shell fell. We will not be scared, and we trust the Indian Army to give a befitting reply.” The family showed determination and confidence in the security forces’ response.

Fresh visuals show a large missile fragment recovered in Barmer, Rajasthan, following last night’s Pakistani attack. Similar debris has also been retrieved from Jaisalmer and Pokhran, officials said.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday to brief him on the prevailing security situation amid ongoing border tensions.

Thursday’s IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamshala’s HPCA Stadium was abruptly called off, leaving players and officials stranded. With civil flights grounded across parts of North and West India due to rising tensions with Pakistan, the Ministry of Railways swiftly arranged a special Vande Bharat train. The train transported both teams, their support staff, commentators, and technical crew to Delhi, ensuring minimal disruption to the tournament.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. He emphasized that ‘both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation.’

He has further proposed U.S. support in facilitating productive discussions to avert future disputes.

Pro-Pakistan social media accounts have falsely claimed that Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, an Indian Female Air Force pilot, has been captured in Pakistan. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has denied these allegations, labeling the claim as fake and assuring that no such incident has occurred.

Col Sofiya Qureshi, in a press briefing on Saturday, highlighted the Pakistani military’s ongoing attacks using drones, long-range weapons, and fighter jets, targeting India’s military sites. She added that Pakistan attempted infiltration at over 26 locations, causing damage at several airbases. Additionally, medical facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura, and Udhampur were attacked. India’s forces responded with precision strikes on military targets. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh emphasized India’s commitment to non-escalation, provided Pakistan reciprocates, while Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called Pakistan’s actions a provocation and India’s response measured.

A missile-like object landed deep inside the Dal Lake, after loud explosions rocked the city.

Smoke bellowed from the surface of the lake when the object landed, the officials said.

The debris of the object are being fished out by the security forces, ANI reported.

Another suspected object was recovered from Lasjan on the outskirts of the city on Saturday morning, which is being examined, the officials said.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that India targeted Pakistan’s military assets in Rahim Yar Khan in response to heightened tensions. The Indian armed forces are on high alert, with all hostile actions effectively countered. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to non-escalation, provided Pakistan reciprocates.

Wing Commander Singh dismissed Pakistan’s claims of destroying India’s S-400 system and airfields in Surat as part of a malicious misinformation campaign. Singh reiterated that these reports were false and unfounded, aimed at misleading the public

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has dismissed Pakistan’s allegations of missiles being fired at a religious site, calling them “ludicrous.” Misri emphasized that such claims were baseless and not grounded in reality

Indian military presented time-stamped photographs to refute Pakistan’s claims that Indian air force stations and bases were destroyed. The images, showcasing the integrity of Indian military infrastructure, were shared to counter false reports from Pakistan, demonstrating the strength and preparedness of India’s defense systems.

Col. Sofiya Qureshi has confirmed that Pakistan employed drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter jets to target India’s military sites along the Western front.

Col. Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that Pakistan launched a high-speed missile in Punjab. The Indian forces have been placed on high alert, with a clear message that any further aggression will be met with a robust defense.