Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 8: India successfully thwarted an aerial attack by Pakistan targeting Jammu on Thursday night, with air defence systems intercepting multiple drones and missiles.

The attempted assault caused blackouts and sirens across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, prompting emergency alerts and public warnings to stay indoors. Indian air defences neutralised several drones near Jammu airport, and eight missiles were intercepted before impact, preventing casualties.

Power outages occurred at key locations, including the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district and parts of Srinagar, as part of intensified security measures.

In a significant escalation, an Indian surface-to-air missile system reportedly downed a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet that had taken off from the Sargodha air base. The jet was brought down near the base, as per NDTV sources.

This attack came just hours after Pakistan’s failed attempt to strike 15 Indian cities. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh had earlier confirmed that cities including Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Bhuj were targeted with drones and missiles, which were all neutralised by India’s counter-UAS grid and air defence.

Debris from the projectiles confirmed they originated from Pakistan. In response, India launched precision strikes, destroying multiple Pakistani air defence positions, including a key installation in Lahore.

Simultaneously, Pakistan initiated shelling across border sectors in Jammu & Kashmir, including Kupwara, Uri, and Rajouri. This resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians, among them five children and three women. The Indian Army responded with firm retaliatory action.

These events follow Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces reportedly eliminated nearly 100 militants across nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.