JAMMU/SRINAGAR: A woman was killed and another injured in cross-border shelling in Uri area of North Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday, as multiple explosions struck Jammu city and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
A GNS report quoting officials said that a vehicle traveling from Razerwani to Baramulla was hit with a shell near Mohura. In this incident, Nargis Begum, wife of Basheer Khan and resident of Razarwani, was killed, while another woman, Hafeeza, wife of Razeek Ahmad Khan, was injured and rushed to GMC Baramulla for treatment.
Some houses were damaged in the Pakistani shelling at Salamabad village in Uri, north Kashmir. The villagers visited their damaged houses which are located close the Line of Control. Some houses are also reported to have caught fire in the process when shelling was going on.
In Jammu city, residents said that multiple explosions were heard since 5.00 AM on May 9, 2025 as sirens blared as blackout was still in force. Though electricity was restored a few hours back in a phased manner. The people stayed indoors as firing resumed from unknown locations and could be heard.
Multiple Explosions and Blackout
Residents in Jammu and Kashmir reported major and multiple explosions in Jammu city as sirens blared, causing a complete blackout for several hours. The sounds of explosions have now stopped, and electricity has been restored in a phased manner across different parts of the region.
Sirens were heard in Jammu and several villages near the Line of Control. A Al Jazeera report from Srinagar that "The clashes between the India and Pakistan forces are far more intense than in previous years. What used to be occasional small firearms have escalated to the heavy exchange of artillery."
The Indian Army confirmed that military stations at Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Army's statement, "The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)." No casualties or material losses were reported from these attacks.
Conflicting Claims
India has accused Pakistan of attacking three of its military bases with drones and missiles, a claim denied by Islamabad. Reuters, citing an unnamed Indian official, reported Pakistani attacks in Akhnoor, Samba, Kathua, and multiple other locations in Jammu.
Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar denied on Thursday that Pakistan launched the attacks, stating, "Pakistan has not targeted any locations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, or across international border."
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the BBC, "We deny it, we have not mounted anything so far," adding, "We will not strike and then deny."
Power Restored in Ludhiana, Mohali and Chandigarh
After consultations with defence authorities, the administration has decided to restore electricity in Ludhiana, Mohali, and Chandigarh, according to the Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts.
"We are now clear to restore the power supply. We thank our armed forces for their brave fight today and forever. Also, we request the citizens to stay safe and alert," read the Tweet by DC Mohali.
Delhi on High Alert: India Gate Cleared Amid Security Concerns
A high alert has been issued, and security has been tightened across Delhi. Authorities were seen evacuating people from the India Gate area and imposing traffic restrictions around the historic monument.
“Police will remain vigilant. Night patrols have been intensified, and additional forces will be deployed in all sensitive areas,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
The measures follow reports of Pakistani drone attacks that triggered loud explosions, air raid sirens, and blackouts across several border districts.
Two Pakistani Drones Shot Down by Indian Army
Two Pakistani drones were shot down by Indian Army Air Defence units in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir late Thursday night, as heavy artillery exchange between Indian and Pakistani forces continues in the region according to defence sources, reported PTI.
Cross-border tensions between the two nations escalated significantly on Thursday night following reports of missile and drone attacks originating from Pakistan at multiple locations in India along the western border.
Military Actions
The tensions escalated after India said it launched precision strikes on what it called "terrorist infrastructure" inside Pakistan on Wednesday. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told an all-party meeting on Thursday that "100 terrorists" had been killed, a claim that could not be independently verified.
Pakistan's military says it shot down 29 drones from India that entered its airspace. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan's military spokesperson, said on Thursday that Indian-made Israeli Harop drones had been deployed to targets including Karachi and Lahore. The military said one civilian was killed and four Pakistani soldiers were wounded because of the drone incidents.
Reuters also reported that a Chinese-made J-10 Pakistani fighter jet shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on Wednesday, one of which was said to be a French-made Rafale fighter. Pakistan's defence minister claimed that the J-10 was used to shoot down three French-made Rafale planes. Indian authorities have yet to acknowledge such losses.
Government Response
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a meeting for the second straight day with Deputy Commissioners of all border districts through virtual mode to take stock of the prevailing situation. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to ensure the seamless provision of essential supplies and services, including food, water, electricity, and medical care.
Abdullah directed that ex-gratia relief be disbursed immediately to the next of kin of deceased and injured persons. He instructed that all required formalities be expedited so that financial assistance—including support from PM CARES Fund and other relief sources—be processed without delay.
Educational Institutions Closed
Amid the prevailing situation, Minister of Education Sakina Itoo announced that all private and government schools, colleges, and universities shall remain closed on Friday and Saturday. "Keeping in view the safety of students, all the private and government schools, colleges and universities shall remain closed on Friday and Saturday," Itoo said.
The Registrar of Kashmir University also confirmed the suspension of classwork for Friday, adding that students would be notified of any further changes.
International Concerns
The attacks and incidents of shelling along the border have fanned fears of a wider conflict erupting between the nuclear-armed states. It is being viewed as the worst confrontation between the two countries in more than two decades.
The crisis between India and Pakistan appears to be "at a crossroads," according to Washington-based South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman. "India has said it has no intention of further military action, unless it is attacked by Pakistan. For now, Pakistan has vowed retaliation for the initial Indian air strikes, but it has also said it wants de-escalation," he said.
There were calls for restraint from around the world after India launched "Operation Sindoor" early on Wednesday, with the UN and world leaders calling for calm.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, expressed concern, saying, "Deeply disturbing reports are emerging from Jammu, where air strikes have reportedly hit certain areas. My heart goes out to the people of Jammu, especially those living along the borders, who are once again caught in the terrifying uncertainty of conflict."
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