In a dramatic display of hostilities, Pakistan attacked different regions of Jammu and Kashmir just hours after its failed bid to strike 15 Indian cities. This was a significant escalation of tensions between the two nations.
Areas along the Line of Control and the International Border—such as RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, and Hiranagar—have been subjected to intense shelling. Jammu, the winter capital of the union territory, meanwhile, is being bombed from the air.
Around 9 pm, the city shook with massive explosions, soon followed by the wailing of sirens and a complete blackout. Footage captured by residents on their mobile phones indicated bright lights in the black sky, marking the interception of incoming drones and missiles by Indian Air Defence Systems.
Communication has been hit as mobile networks in certain regions of Jammu have gone dead, further fueling anxiety among residents who are trying to contact loved ones. Large sections of Jammu and Kashmir's border belt are now in blackout. The shutdown has extended to other regions too, with identical blackouts being enforced in Punjab's Ferozepur and Gurdaspur, and certain sections of Rajasthan—both of which share international borders with Pakistan.
Heavy cross-LOC shelling is continuing at International Border locations in Samba, Akhnoor, Rajouri, and Reasi.
These shelling attacks came in retaliation for India's launch of Operation Sindoor—a string of precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Operation Sindoor was launched following a terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed numerous people.
While the intensity of the attacks, Indian government and defense have reiterated unequivocally that the operations were "non-escalatory, precise, controlled and measured."
Today morning, Pakistan made an unsuccessful bid to bomb military bases in 15 major Indian cities, such as Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh. Indian security forces intercepted and defeated the attack.
In retaliation, Indian troops neutralized Pakistani air defense hardware and radar installations at several sites, including Lahore. The government confirmed that India's retorsions were made "in the same domain (and) with the same intensity" as Pakistan's original aggression.
In a formal statement, the government concluded, "The Indian Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment to non-escalation, subject to it being reciprocated by the Pakistani military."
Read also| Indian Army Vows Strong Retaliation Following Civilian Deaths in Poonch
