After blasts, missile debris sparks panic in Punjab border villages
Panic gripped residents in the border districts of Punjab on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday after loud explosions and sudden blackouts rocked the area.
On Thursday, missile debris was found in agricultural fields across three villages, Jethuwal, Makhanwindi and Pandher, with some fragments even scattered inside homes in Jethuwal. No casualties or property damage were reported.
Officials of the police, Army and Indian Air Force arrived at the scene and secured the debris.
The Ministry of Defence stated that Pakistan had attempted to target multiple military installations in northern and western India, but the attacks were thwarted by India’s air defence systems. A police official confirmed that the recovered debris belonged to missiles launched by Pakistan.
In Makhanwindi village, authorities urged locals to stay at least 500 metres away from the debris as a precaution against potential live explosives.
Sukhchain Singh, a resident of Jethuwal, recounted hearing a massive explosion around 1.15 am, which jolted villagers awake. “We rushed outside and saw bright lights in the sky, followed by another blast,” he said. By morning, they discovered missile fragments in their fields and alerted the police.
Surjit Singh from Makhanwindi said the developments had caused widespread panic in the area, with many residents unable to sleep due to the blasts. He appealed to both governments to exercise restraint.
Harchand Singh, SHO of Jandiala Guru police station, said they received reports of missile debris near the Amritsar-Batala road and immediately notified higher authorities as well as the Army and Air Force.
Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, who visited the site, urged the residents to stay calm. “The Army and police are investigating the origin of these missile parts. It is regrettable that Pakistan targeted civilian areas, whereas India’s actions were focused on terrorist camps within their territory,” he said.
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