Army foils drone attacks by Pakistan; 4 states on high alert: What we know so far

NEW DELHI: India foiled Pakistan's drone attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat on Thursday evening, as tensions escalated following India's Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

"Yesterday night, when Pakistan made failed attempts to send swarm drones all across various places along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB), over 50 drones were successfully neutralized during a large-scale counter-drone operation conducted by Indian Army Air Defence units in the areas of Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot areas," news agency ANI quoted defence sources as saying.

Yesterday night, when Pakistan made failed attempts to send swarm drones all across various places along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB), over 50 drones were successfully neutralized during a large-scale counter-drone operation conducted by Indian Army… pic.twitter.com/x2pJE16940

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025

"The engagement involved extensive use of L-70 guns, Zu-23mm, Schilka systems, and other advanced counter-UAS equipment, demonstrating the Army’s robust capability to counter aerial threats," they added.

Here's what we know so far:

• Jammu and Kashmir: According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, Pakistan tried to target military stations in Jammu, Pathankot (Punjab), and Udhampur, all located near the International Border. Blackouts were enforced and sirens and numerous explosions were reported in Akhnoor, Samba, Baramulla and Kupwara and several other places . On Friday, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said he was on his way to Jammu to take stock of situation. Schools are closed for two days and the government will review the decision to extend the closure of schools on Monday.
• Punjab: A blackout was enforced in several districts including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali in Punjab, and Union territory of Chandigarh. The state government ordered closure of educational institutes in the state for the next three days. According to a government spokesperson, the revenue disaster management control room has set up landline phone numbers 0172-2741803 and 0172-2749901 to be contacted by the general public in case of an emergency.
• Rajasthan: The administrations of Rajasthan's border districts sounded a red alert with blackout in several cities, including Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sriganganagar, and others. In Jaisalmer, people switched off lights as the city echoed with explosion sounds, which were possibly drone attacks by Pakistan in Jaisalmer-Pokhra, while the blackout in Bikaner will be in effect until further orders. A blackout was implemented in Jodhpur, the state's second-largest city, as well. Government and private schools have been closed in Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Barmer districts as a precautionary measure. Flight operations at operations at Bikaner, Kishangarh in Ajmer, and Jodhpur airports have been suspended till Saturday.
• Gujarat: A total blackout was enforced in several parts of the border districts of Kutch, including Bhuj, Nalia, Nakhatrana and Gandhidham. Similarly, blackouts, were declared in several villages in bordring Suigam taluka of Banaskantha district.

(With agency inputs)