Chandigarh, May 8— India’s S-400 air defence system intercepted eight Pakistani-origin missiles on Thursday evening, targeting key locations including Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia in Jammu region, defence officials confirmed. The interception comes a day after India launched Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali national.
“Loud explosions were heard across several regions including Jammu, Kupwara, Baramulla, Rajouri, Pathankot, Jaisalmer and Ganganagar,” a defence source told reporters, noting that air defence systems were “fully prepared” and neutralised “all threats” launched from across the border.
As a precaution, full blackouts were enforced in sensitive regions such as Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Baramulla, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Barmer and Jaisalmer. Fighter jets from over five western airbases have been deployed for combat patrols, and the Border Security Force intensified surveillance along the International Border.
Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP Shesh Paul Vaid posted on X: “A complete blackout is being witnessed in Jammu. Loud explosions — bombing, shelling, or missile strikes suspected. Fret not — Mata Vaishno Devi is with us, and so are valiant Indian Armed Forces.”
Local residents in Jammu reported hearing sirens, and officials confirmed that air raid protocols were activated. Defence sources said visuals resembled a “Hamas-style rocket barrage” with simultaneous low-cost projectile launches.
In Punjab, Pathankot airbase was reportedly targeted following shelling from across the border. Loud booms prompted fears of Pakistani shelling, though authorities urged calm, saying no confirmed damage had been reported. Pathankot, Amritsar and Chandigarh remain under blackout.
In Kashmir, Pakistani troops fired unprovoked across the Line of Control (LoC), targeting the Boniyar sector in Baramulla and Tangdhar in Kupwara. Indian forces responded swiftly with counter-measures. Sirens were also heard in Akhnoor and Kishtwar, and blackout was extended to Srinagar airport, Shopian and Ramban.
Rajasthan’s border zones saw similar tensions. Pakistani drones were intercepted over Jaisalmer where residents reported flashes and loud blasts. Blackouts were enforced in Jaisalmer and Barmer, where the third consecutive danger siren prompted immediate lockdowns. In Phalodi, emergency protocols were activated, including power backups in hospitals and early business closures.
Sriganganagar is now under red alert, and the entire 1,070-kilometre border between India and Pakistan in Rajasthan has been sealed.
Flight operations have been suspended in Bikaner, Kishangarh and Jodhpur until May 10. Jaipur airport cancelled four flights, and Indigo Airlines suspended its Bikaner operations amid heightened security concerns.
“We remain in a state of high alert. While the situation continues to evolve, all possible measures are being taken to safeguard civilian lives and infrastructure,” said a senior government official.
