Tensions have escalated sharply between India and Pakistan, with reports emerging of Pakistan targeting the Jammu region with loitering munitions. In response to this aggression, Indian Air Defence units retaliated with heavy fire. The situation has prompted authorities to enforce a complete blackout in various parts of the Jammu Division, including Kishtwar and Akhnoor, with sirens being heard across the region.
The use of loitering munitions by Pakistan marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. These weapons are designed to hover over a target area, identify threats, and then strike, either autonomously or with human input. This allows for precise targeting and minimizes collateral damage. India also employed the same weapon during Operation Sindoor.
The Indian response was swift, with Air Defence guns actively firing back at the incoming munitions. Simultaneously, a complete blackout was enforced in Jammu, Kishtwar and Akhnoor, and sirens blared to alert residents of the imminent danger. Such measures are intended to minimize potential casualties and damage during aerial attacks. Blackout has also been imposed in Amritsar, Punjab.
These recent events are unfolding against the backdrop of heightened tensions following India's "Operation Sindoor," a series of precision strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. India has accused Pakistan of supporting the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, a charge that Pakistan denies.
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has increased the intensity of unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC), using mortars and heavy artillery in areas such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri. India has asserted that it is responding appropriately to these escalations, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stating that any further action by Pakistan would be met with a suitable response.
Adding another layer of complexity, India has accused Pakistan of attempting to target military installations in Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana using drones and missiles. While these attempts were reportedly neutralized by India's Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems, they underscore the escalating nature of the conflict.
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides making claims and counter-claims. Pakistan claims to have shot down multiple Indian drones, while India says it has neutralized Pakistani attempts to hit military targets. Amidst this escalating conflict, there are growing concerns about the potential for further escalation and the devastating consequences it could have for the region.
