Drone sightings new normal in Jammu
Despite a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, Jammu has witnessed multiple drone attacks in recent days, triggering alarm among residents and raising questions on the truce.
It was on May 8, when the first drone attack took place on Jammu and adjoining areas after which the air defence mechanism was activated that intercepted every drone. Locals were fantasised seeing red flashes that chased the drones and smashed them in air.
Those were unprecedented sights for locals. A Pakistani drone in June 2021 had dropped two IEDs on the air force station in Jammu but that was not seen by anyone.
On May 8, a defence spokesperson said: “Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border (IB) in J&K today. The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). No casualties or material losses were reported. India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people.”
Local residents are growing increasingly anxious that drone sighting may become a new normal in their lives like ceasefire violations.
Kulbhushan Kumar, a resident of Sainik Colony said drone sightings have become a new normal in Jammu region. “Locals are afraid if this will be a new normal in our lives as there is a ceasefire and drone attacks continue by Pakistan on civilians of the region?” questioned Kumar.
However since May 8, drones have been witnessed multiple times in different areas of the UT even after a ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10 between the two countries. Interestingly even on May 10, drones were witnessed in different areas and brought down by air defence system.
Since May 8, drone sightings have continued across multiple areas in the Union Territory. Notably, drones were even spotted on the day of ceasefire announcement (May 10) and were brought down by the air defence system.
J & K