Tensions along the India-Pakistan border have escalated sharply following reports of Pakistani drones over key sectors in Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot. Defence and security sources confirmed the drone activity, coinciding with heightened military exchanges between the two countries.
The drone sightings were particularly alarming as they occurred near sensitive zones, including the strategically critical Pathankot airbase, a location that has previously been targeted in cross-border attacks. This incident follows a loud explosion reported near Pathankot on May 8, which compelled authorities to enforce precautionary blackouts in the nearby districts of Pathankot and Amritsar. In response to the escalating situation, schools in Rajasthan near the international border were closed, mock drills were conducted, and evacuation protocols were activated, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.
This surge in drone activity is part of a broader increase in hostilities, with Indian defence forces recently reporting the successful interception of eight missiles launched from Pakistan. These missiles targeted numerous civilian and strategic zones, including Jammu airport, Samba, RS Pura, Arnia, and Akhnoor. The Indian Army utilized its advanced S-400 air defence system to neutralize the incoming threats, managing to do so without reported casualties. Concurrently, ceasefire violations and artillery exchanges were observed in Kupwara, Udhampur, and Pathankot.
These developments follow India’s retaliatory missile strikes on May 7, which targeted nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Among the key targets were bases linked to militant organizations such as Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur and facilities associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke. These retaliatory strikes were a direct response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that Indian authorities attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups.
Historically, Pakistani drone intrusions have raised serious concerns regarding Indian border security. Records from the Border Security Force (BSF) indicate a consistent increase in drone-related incidents, with 97 sightings reported in 2021 and over 100 documented in the first seven months of 2022. While these drones are frequently employed for smuggling and surveillance, the 2021 double-drone attack on the Jammu Air Force Station indicated a troubling shift towards more aggressive tactics.
In response, India has deployed counter-drone systems across its border states and placed its forces on heightened alert. Authorities have issued shoot-on-sight orders for any hostile aerial or ground incursions, emphasizing the gravity of the current security environment.
As the situation develops, concerns are mounting regarding the potential for a full-scale escalation between the two nations, both of which are nuclear-armed and have a long history of conflict. Diplomatic channels appear to be stagnant amid this military posturing, leading the international community to observe closely for any indications of either de-escalation or an escalating crisis.
