Tensions Rise in Jammu and Kashmir Following Drone Incidents Post Ceasefire Agreement
Drone Sightings Cause Alarm in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar/Jammu: Just hours after India and Pakistan reached a consensus to halt military operations, Jammu and Kashmir experienced a wave of drone sightings accompanied by explosions, leading security forces to activate air defense systems to intercept them.
These incidents in both Kashmir and Jammu raised significant concerns regarding a potential breach of the newly established ceasefire, according to officials.
In Srinagar, residents reported multiple explosions after nightfall, with air defense units engaging a drone over the Batwara area, near a key Army facility. Authorities confirmed the drone was successfully neutralized.
The explosions, occurring approximately every 15 minutes and preceded by flares lighting up the night sky, created immediate panic and confusion among the populace.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his doubts about the ceasefire declaration on social media amidst the unfolding events.
"This is not a ceasefire. The air defense units in Srinagar just opened fire," he tweeted, adding, "What just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!"
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the military operations directors of both nations had agreed to cease all forms of firing and military actions on land, air, and sea starting at 5 PM on Saturday. This announcement followed US President Donald Trump's declaration that India and Pakistan had consented to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after US-mediated discussions.
Drone activity was reported throughout the Kashmir Valley and was subsequently intercepted by an anti-drone system in Baramulla around 8:20 PM.
Another drone was reportedly downed in Anantnag, also near an Army installation.
Drones were sighted in Anantnag district's Verinag and Bandipora, as well as Safapora, with further details pending.
While officials indicated there were no reports of shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, similar disturbances were noted in Jammu.
Despite the agreement to halt military actions between India and Pakistan, a series of explosions were heard in Jammu and Udhampur districts late Saturday night after suspected drones were observed in the vicinity.
Air sirens echoed through parts of Jammu city, followed by explosions that caused temporary power outages in some regions.
Although the cause of the explosions remains unverified, locals reported seeing Army air defense units firing to neutralize the perceived drone threats.
Reports of mortar shelling and small arms fire also surfaced from the International Border (IB) and the LoC in sectors such as R S Pura, Akhnoor in Jammu, and Nowshera in Rajouri district.
The simultaneous drone activity and explosions shortly after the ceasefire announcement have raised serious questions about Pakistan's commitment to the truce and the potential for further escalation, officials noted.