Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that he heard “intermittent sounds of blasts” from his location. Sharing updates on social media platform X, he urged residents to stay indoors and remain calm.
“Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am,” he posted, alongside an image of the city under blackout. “Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city,” he added in his post.
“Please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unverified stories—we will get through this together”, the J&K CM said in another post.
The incident occurred amid heightened hostilities between India and Pakistan, days after India launched targeted drone strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’, neutralising several terror bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Officials said the blasts were likely the result of cross-border shelling by Pakistan, seen as a retaliatory move that has increased volatility along the Line of Control and spread panic among civilians.
On Friday, Abdullah visited Jammu to assess the situation firsthand. He checked on the injured at the Government Medical College Hospital and inspected relief efforts at camps housing people evacuated from vulnerable zones. Pakistan troops have also initiated heavy mortar shelling in the Jammu and Samba sectors.
The Army has confirmed drone sightings in Jammu, Samba, and Punjab’s Pathankot area, and stated that air defence systems are actively engaging the threats.
ANI