Were Pakistani drones seen in J&K’s Samba shortly after PM Modi’s speech?

In his first national address after Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that ‘Operation Sindoor’ represents India’s new approach to tackling terrorism.

Not long after his speech, a few suspected drones were spotted near Samba in Jammu and Kashmir.

This sighting also came shortly after the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both India and Pakistan held a meeting on Monday.

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Soon after the incident, power outages were reported in several places, including Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Jammu.

So, were these Pakistani drones spotted in the region shortly after PM Modi’s speech? In this explainer, we look into that and explore what the Army and other officials have said.

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Let’s take a look:

Were Pakistani drones seen near the border?

On Monday evening, red lights were seen in the sky and loud blasts were heard as India’s air defence responded to drone sightings during a power outage in Samba.

“A small number of suspected drones have been observed near Samba in J&K. They are being engaged," the Army said in a statement.

The Army also added that there is no reason for concern.

As the situation developed, power cuts were reported in areas including Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Jammu.

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A few hours later, the Indian Army gave an update, saying the situation was under control.

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“No enemy drones are being reported at present,” it said in an official statement. “The situation is calm and under full control.”

At the Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine and on its route, lights were turned off as a safety step, PTI reported citing sources.

A video posted by ANI on X showed Indian forces bringing down a drone. The clip shows red flashes lighting up the sky and blasts being heard as air defence systems took action.

#WATCH | J&K: Red streaks seen and explosions heard as India's air defence intercepts Pakistani drones amid blackout in Samba.

(Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/EyiBfKg6hs

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2025

Similar blackouts were carried out as a safety step in parts of Punjab’s Amritsar and Hoshiarpur districts. Officials also confirmed that power was cut in some areas of Jalandhar.

“As a precautionary measure, lights have been switched off in some areas around Suranassi as there have been reports of drone sightings. We are verifying them. There is no (total) blackout as of now. There is nothing to worry, as confirmed by armed forces officers. They are on regular vigil as always," said Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal in a message sent at 9:15 pm.

In Amritsar, an air raid siren was heard. “We are alert. We are enforcing a blackout," said Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, asking people to stay away from windows.

People were advised to stay calm. “We will notify you when the electricity supply is ready to be restored. Do not panic," the administration said.

#BreakingNews | #Pakistan attempts drone intrusions along border areas, but India's Air Defence units on high alert

Attempts thwarted in Samba, #Udhampur and #Amritsar. @kaidensharmaa @Elizasherine share details pic.twitter.com/W3pRM4XS1I

— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 13, 2025

In Hoshiarpur, blackout steps were also taken in the towns of Dasuya and Mukerian.

The suspected drone sightings near the border took place just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national address post Operation Sindoor and the DGMOs meeting between India and Pakistan.

‘India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail’: What PM Modi said

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong warning to Pakistan, stating that India will not give in to nuclear threats . He made it clear to the world that terrorism cannot go hand-in-hand with trade or talks.

“India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. We have only kept in abeyance our operations against Pakistan, the future will depend on their behaviour. Operation Sindoor is now India’s new policy against terrorism, a new line has been drawn,” he said during a 22-minute speech.

He also gave a message to Pakistan’s leadership: “The terrorists they have been feeding and nurturing all these years will swallow Pakistan itself. If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to root out terrorism.”

“Any talks with Pakistan can happen only on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” the prime minister said.

His statement on trade came just after US President Donald Trump said that he had told both India and Pakistan that his administration would only do trade with them if they worked towards peace.

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Calling the Pahalgam attack the most “barbaric face of terrorism”, PM Modi said it had caused him deep personal pain. He added that the enemy has now understood what happens when the “sindoor is removed from the forehead of our women”.

Paying tribute to the armed forces, PM Modi said their courage was for the mothers, sisters, and daughters of the nation.

Also on Monday, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) held talks, during which they spoke about the ongoing agreement that neither side should open fire or take any aggressive or hostile steps against the other, the Indian Army said.

The Army also said that both countries agreed to look into steps that could lead to a quick reduction of troops along the border and in forward positions.

With inputs from agencies