Similarly, the border town of Jaisalmer experienced loud explosions during the night, while blackouts were imposed across western Rajasthan’s districts bordering Pakistan, plunging the area into darkness. A senior official also confirmed that a series of blasts persisted for nearly an hour.
Multiple districts of Punjab, Chandigarh, and parts of Haryana, including Panchkula, Ambala, and Sirsa also faced these blackouts. These measures were taken amid rising military tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor and the increasing threat of airstrikes.
These tensions escalated after Operation Sindoor was carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali tourist. The strike targeted nine key terrorist infrastructures linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), spanning locations in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to official sources, the operation commenced at 1:05 am and concluded by 1:30 am, with some follow-up strikes taking place at 1:44 am. The attack was aimed at neutralising the operational bases of major terror outfits while consciously avoiding Pakistani military installations. This approach, military officials said, was to prevent an all-out escalation while still delivering a strong message.
Among the targets were JeM’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and LeT’s base in Muridke. Other sites hit included terrorist locations in Sialkot and Tehra Kalan in Pakistan, and Muzaffarabad and Kotli in PoK. The military described the strikes as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” aimed solely at terrorist facilities. The operation was briefed to the public by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during a press conference in New Delhi.
In response, Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes, calling them an “act of war” and vowing that a firm response was already underway. He said that the entire Pakistani nation stood in solidarity with its armed forces and was prepared for any further developments. Sharif also warned of Pakistan’s right to retaliate, heightening concerns of broader military engagement in the region.
The government, meanwhile, said that the action was necessary and justified. Earlier during a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praised the armed forces for their precision and bravery. He expressed pride in the success of the operation and urged continued vigilance against future threats.
The conflict attracted the attention of many international leaders. US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, expressing concern over the rising tensions. “It’s so terrible,” he said, adding that he had good relations with both India and Pakistan and hoped to see the two nations resolve the conflict. “Hopefully they can stop now, as they have gone tit-for-tat,” Trump said, offering to assist in de-escalation efforts if needed.
Follow this live blog for minute-by-minute updates as tensions mount across the India-Pakistan border.