Long Night For Barmar, Jaisalmer As Pakistan Launches Multiple Drone Attacks

After a long dark night filled with the sounds of sirens, drone sightings and volatile attacks, Sher Singh and his wife Mannu Kanwar woke up to a fallen debris of a missile on their farm. 

As the Sun rose over the Thar desert, the fragments of the destroyed missile were a reminder of a scary night for the villagers. 

"Around 6:30 AM in the morning, when we slowly went outside our homes, we saw a fallen missile-like structure in the farm. We quickly informed the local police in Pokhran, and simultaneously army also reached and cordoned off the place. While we were scared the whole night and did not step out of our homes, the morning seemed reassuring as you could see the entire village safe", Sher Singh, a local resident of Jaimla Village, located in Pokhran, around 30 km from Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, told Outlook.

Pokhran, known for being the site of India's first underground nuclear weapon test, was one such site where Pakistan launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire western border, which were effectively repulsed by the Indian army, as per the official statement.   

Border Villages Caught In A Nightmare

"Every night is a nightmare for the entire village, but every morning gives us hope, and we are proud of our soldiers for protecting us", added Singh.

Earlier this morning, apart from the Jaimla village, projectile fragments were recovered from several locations in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. 

바카라�We have circulated the advisory along with the Jaisalmer district collectorate's office, which clearly states that if any citizen comes across a suspicious object resembling a bomb, drone, or they must not approach, touch, or attempt to photograph but instead, should immediately inform local authorities and maintain a safe distance", Deputy SP Pokhran, Bhawani Singh told Outlook. 

The Superintendent of Police in Barmer, Narendra Singh Meena, has confirmed to the media that multiple attempts of drone attacks took place from 9 PM until 5:50 PM in Barmer and all were subsequently intercepted and destroyed mid-air. The repeated explosions triggered fear among residents. Security agencies have cordoned off all affected sites, and investigations are underway to determine the origin and nature of the fallen objects.

Earlier this morning, apart from the Jaimla village, projectile fragments were recovered from several locations in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. 

바카라�We have circulated the advisory along with the Jaisalmer district collectorate's office, which clearly states that if any citizen comes across a suspicious object resembling a bomb, drone, or they must not approach, touch, or attempt to photograph but instead, should immediately inform local authorities and maintain a safe distance", Deputy SP Pokhran, Bhawani Singh told Outlook. 

The Superintendent of Police in Barmer, Narendra Singh Meena, has confirmed to the media that multiple attempts of drone attacks took place from 9 PM until 5:50 PM in Barmer and all were subsequently intercepted and destroyed mid-air. The repeated explosions triggered fear among residents. Security agencies have cordoned off all affected sites, and investigations are underway to determine the origin and nature of the fallen objects. 

Three days after India conducted an airstrike on terrorist camps across the border, Pakistan retaliated by targeting Barmer with a series of drone attacks on Friday night. From 9 pm to 5.15 am, dozens of drones attempted to breach Indian airspace. However, the Indian Air Defense System successfully intercepted and destroyed every drone mid-air. All neutralisations occurred within a seven to eight kilometres radius of Barmer city. The last attack was reported at 5.15 am on Saturday.

Strict Advisory 

The District Collectors of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jodhpur have set out a strict advisory cautioning people to go out of their houses and calling for full public cooperation. For the first time since the series of attacks broke out between the two countries took place, on Saturday the desert districts witnessed a red alert in the daytime, restraining the movement of public and closing down of main markets.

Apart from the official advisory issued by the collectorate offices in the border districts, the sirens were sounded in every fifteen minutes. Tina Dabi who is the collector of Barmer issued a voice red alert stating, 바카라�Incoming air raid by drones information received. Please stay inside your homes.바카라� The administration enforced a complete blackout in Barmer and Jaisalmer city on Friday night to reduce visibility for incoming drones. While residents were asked to stay indoors the advisory also takes not to use crackers for any occasion. Gathering in groups or organising any public event is strictly prohibited until further notice.

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, the villagers too are treading with caution. Hindu Singh Tamlor, a sarpanch of Tamlor village told Outlook, "The advisory urges all residents to remain indoors and avoid stepping out. We are also making people aware about blackouts and sirens".  

Sirens and Red Alerts Across India's Border Villages

A red alert was also issued in the Ganganagar district. "We are obeying with the administration. The villagers are operating but right now there is less fear and we keep continuing with our daily routines", Surjan Sigh, a sarpach of village Malkhana khurd , two kilometres away from the Indo-Pak border told Outlook.

The four districts Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner and Sriganganagar of Rajasthan, the geographically largest state of India, share an international border of approximately 1100 kilometres with the neighbouring Pakistan.

Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and India's strike on terror targets in Pakistan in retaliation, Rajasthan is currently taking several measures to ensure its preparedness in case of any eventualities

As a precautionary measure, amid ongoing security tensions, the Indian Railways cancelled several trains operating from Barmer and Jaisalmer. Also, the flights at the airports in Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur have been suspended until May 10 and could be further suspended.