Pakistan targets Punjab again after Operation Sindoor; drones shot down, rockets recovered across multiple districts

New Delhi: A day after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting militant bases across the border, Pakistan launched its third attack on Punjab, triggering high alert across the region.

At around 5 am on Friday, two drones were detected in Amritsar, both of which were intercepted and destroyed by the Indian Army’s S-400 air defense system in the Khasa area. One of the drones was described as large, while the other was smaller in size.

Following a late-night attack in Pathankot, security forces launched a search operation near the airbase on Friday morning, during which a bomb was found on the banks of a river, prompting the army to evacuate the area. Another drone was also recovered near Karoli village and is now in the army’s custody.

In Bathinda, remnants of Pakistani rockets were found in Bir Talab and Tungwali village of Nathana block after explosions during the night. The blast shattered the doors and windows of a house in Tungwali. Bathinda SSP Amneet Kaundal confirmed that an army team had arrived and is investigating the scene.

A similar incident was reported in Hoshiarpur, where a rocket was found in Kamahi Devi and explosions were heard around 8:15 pm in Uchi Bassi, which houses an army camp.

Amid rising tension, internet services were suspended in Faridkot for approximately 13 hours—from midnight to 12:45 pm on Friday—to curb the spread of misinformation. Services have now been restored.

In view of the security situation, the Punjab government has canceled all leaves of IAS officers and instructed them to remain at their respective headquarters. Ten state ministers are set to visit the border areas today.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh experienced a 20-minute air attack alert on Friday morning, with sirens sounding for about 10 minutes. The administration has ordered all employees of government departments, boards, and corporations to remain present at their headquarters in Chandigarh. Until further notice, no official is allowed to leave the city without permission.

A drone attack from Pakistan was also reported in Chandigarh on Thursday, which was successfully neutralized by the Indian Army’s defense system.