Drones spotted in Samba, Jalandhar, Kapurthala shortly after PM’s address; blackout in Punjab's 2 border districts

Tensions along the India-Pakistan border have escalated with reports of drones spotted in Samba, Jammu, near the border, and in Jalandhar. As per information, the air defence system has successfully shot down these drones.

“A small numbers of suspected drones observed near Samba in Jammu and Kashmir. Being engaged. There is no need to be alarmed,” said the Army.

One drone was reportedly neutralised by the Army near Punjab's Kapurthala New Cantt, officials said.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, the district administration of Punjab's Hoshiarpur and Amritsar has issued an alert to residents and declared a blackout.

Electricity has also been switched off in some areas of Jalandhar, officials said.

"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," Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said in a message at 9.15 pm.

An air-raid siren was sounded in Amritsar, which lies along the border. "We are alert. We are enforcing a blackout," Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said in a message and urged people to stay away from windows.

This comes following the PM Modi’s address on Operation Sindoor. —with PTI inputs