In a fresh flare-up of hostilities between India and Pakistan, multiple Pakistani drones were spotted across strategic border regions on Friday, triggering air defence responses and large-scale blackouts across northwestern India.
According to defence officials, Indian forces intercepted a series of drone intrusions over Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot sectors. In the Samba sector, loud explosions were heard after Indian air defence systems engaged incoming drones. However, one Pakistani drone managed to breach Indian defences and struck a residential area in Punjab’s Firozpur, injuring a local family. Authorities rushed the victims to the hospital for urgent medical attention.
In response to the escalating threat, India enforced emergency blackouts in several high-risk areas. These included Jammu’s Akhnoor and Udhampur, Haryana’s Ambala and Panchkula, Firozpur in Punjab, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.
Confirmed Drone Sightings
Pakistani drones were reportedly spotted in:
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Jammu
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Samba
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Pathankot
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Udhampur
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Amritsar
This is the latest in a series of ceasefire violations by Pakistan. On the night of May 7 and 8, Pakistan allegedly conducted multiple airspace breaches, using hundreds of drones to target Indian military infrastructure.
Army Confirms Massive Drone Offensive
During a press briefing on Friday, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi detailed the unprecedented scale of the incursion. “On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border to target military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control,” she said.
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Punjab | One Pakistani drone has hit a residential area in Firozpur and injured a family. Rushed to hospital for further treatment
— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
She further added, “Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations. The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence.”
Initial forensic analysis of the downed drones suggests that they were Turkish-origin Asisguard Songar models, known for their surveillance and light-attack capabilities.
Retaliation to Operation Sindoor
This wave of drone activity is believed to be Pakistan’s retaliation to India’s recent Operation Sindoor. On Wednesday, Indian armed forces struck nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was a direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
The situation remains highly volatile as India tightens border security and investigates the extent of cross-border infiltration attempts. Civilian safety protocols, including blackouts and restricted movement near sensitive zones, continue to be enforced.
