Late Thursday evening, a wave of fear swept across cities from Jammu to Rajasthan as people heard sirens, saw lights go out, and witnessed explosions in the night sky. It wasn’t a movie scene—it was real. Pakistani drones and missiles had entered Indian airspace, targeting military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.
Families in these regions huddled in their homes as blackouts were swiftly enforced. In Jammu, the entire city was plunged into darkness. “We were sitting for dinner when everything went black. Then we heard sirens and a loud boom—my children ran under the table, crying,” said Anjali Sharma, a resident of Satwari.
Thanks to India’s vigilant armed forces and advanced defence systems, including the S-400 Triumf and Akash missiles, all eight incoming missiles were intercepted mid-air, preventing what could have been catastrophic damage. The Integrated Counter UAS Grid swung into action, and no casualties or property damage were reported. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the threat had been “neutralised” using both missile systems and technology like jammers and anti-drone nets.
But for those living in the shadow of these events, the night was anything but normal. In Srinagar, Chandigarh, and even Bhuj in Gujarat, entire cities went dark. Border residents in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer and Bikaner looked up to see unidentified flying objects—later confirmed as drones—being taken down by India’s air defence.
In Punjab, people in towns like Amritsar, Pathankot, and Jalandhar were asked to shut off all lights and stay inside. The eerie silence, broken only by the sound of sirens and distant artillery fire, left many shaken.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah took immediate steps, speaking with heads of the BSF, CRPF, SSB, and CISF to ensure coordination and safety. “Stay indoors, stay safe,” became the repeated message from authorities as families tried to make sense of the tension outside.
While the technical victory went to India, the emotional toll on families—especially those near the border—was undeniable. Many spent the night without sleep, holding their loved ones close, hoping the danger had truly passed.
