India intercepts fresh swarm of Pakistani drones in multiple places amid explosions, blackouts

A day after its failed drone strikes on multiple Indian cities, Pakistan made similar attempts on Friday, pushing drones into multiple Indian cities, which were successfully intercepted by Indian defence system.

Red streaks were seen and explosions heard as India’s air defence intercepted Pakistani drones in Jammu, Samba (J&K), Pathankot and Ferozepur (Punjab), and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

According to an NDTV report, multiple explosions were also reported in areas including Barmer and Pokhran.

In Srinagar, mosque loudspeakers were used to convey to locals to switch off their lights as a precautionary measure.

The blasts come amid ongoing shelling by Pakistan following India’s strike on terror hideouts in the country earlier this week as part of Operation Sindoor.

“Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.

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Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 9, 2025

He also posted a picture of the city in darkness, captioning the post as, “Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city.”

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He said in another post, “It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in and around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories and we will get through this together.”

On Thursday evening, Indian air defence units successfully intercepted at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan towards the border areas of Jammu, including the strategically important Jammu airport, according to defence sources.

With inputs from agencies