Suspected Pakistani Drones Sighted Over Samba, Jalandhar; Army Says Situation Under Control

Jammu: Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation Monday evening, suspected Pakistani drones were reportedly sighted along the international border in Samba district of Jammu.

While a blackout has been enforced, India's air defence system has successfully intercepted the drones, sources said.

"Comparatively, a very small number of drones have come in the Samba sector. They are being engaged and there is nothing to be alarmed," said sources in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

In the wake of this situation, several areas in Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Jammu witnessed blackouts. Lights were switched off at the Mata Vaishno Devi temple and along its track as a precautionary measure, sources said.

Meanwhile in Punjab, precautionary blackout measures were enforced after an air-raid siren was sounded in Amritsar. Following this blackout, Delhi-Amritsar IndiGo flight returned to the national capital after it was diverted from Bathinda.

"As a precautionary measure, lights have been switched off in some areas around Suranassi (of Jalandhar) 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 the Armed Forces officers. They are on regular vigil as always," reported PTI quoting Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal.

Amid chaos, sources in the Army later stated that no enemy drones are being reported at present, and that the situation is calm and under full control.