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Officials said security forces were put on high alert in the border districts of Rajasthan after the sound of massive explosions were heard in Jaisalmer and a blackout was enforced
The US-made F-16 fighter jets were delivered to Pakistan in the late 1980s. (Image for representation: AP)
Amid a series of unprovoked attacks by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan, India on Thursday evening shot down an enemy F-16 fighter jet in Rajasthan’s Ramgad sector.
This comes as Indian air defence units successfully intercepted at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan towards the border areas of Jammu, including the strategically important Jammu Airport at Satwari.
Officials said security forces are on high alert in the border districts of Rajasthan. The sound of massive explosions were heard in Jaisalmer and a blackout was enforced in the western part bordering Pakistan, plunging the whole stretch into darkness.
A top official confirmed a massive sound was heard in Jaisalmer. After a brief lull, the sound of explosions continued for nearly an hour. With people panicking, police personnel started patrolling. Sirens blared multiple times in Barmer too.
In Sriganganagar, police have asked the citizens to remain inside their homes and switch off lights. “There is a red alert. Everybody stay in their homes and turn off all lights,” Sriganganagar Police said on microblogging site X.
Bikaner witnessed a complete blackout, which is set to continue until further orders. District Magistrate Namrata Vrishni issued orders for blackout in Bikaner tehsil as well. In Jodhpur too, the blackout is implemented with immediate effect on instructions of the district collector.
“All citizens are requested to immediately switch off all types of light sources and ensure complete compliance with the instructions,” Jodhpur District Magistrate Gaurav Agarwal said.
Tension between India and its western neighbour soared after the Indian armed forces conducted precision strikes early on Wednesday in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), targeting terror launchpads in response to the attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s tourist spot Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians in cold blood on April 22.
(With PTI inputs)
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