- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs a high-level meeting
- Pakistani drones sighted at 26 places in India; armed drone injures family in Punjab’s Ferozpur
- Closure of at least 24 airports for civilian flights extended till May 15
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MAY 9
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Chiefs of the Armed Forces and senior officials.
The Prime Minister’s Office in a post on social media platform X wrote, “PM Narendra Modi chaired a meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, Chiefs of the Armed Forces and senior officials.”
Besides discussing the future course of action, PM Modi is believed to have discussed the continuous violation of the ceasefire by Pakistan in the sectors along the Line of Control and the border.
The PM’s engagement with military commanders and strategists also involved an extensive interaction with veterans. Those who took part in the discussions included former Air Force Chiefs, Army Chiefs, and Navy Chiefs, sources said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday chaired a high-level meeting at South Block, New Delhi to review the security situation along the western border and operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh attended the meeting.
Earlier, the Indian Armed Forces briefed media persons about the violation of airspace by Pakistan on Thursday night and the forceful response given by the Indian side.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said Pakistan’s army fired around 300-400 drones on the intervening nights of May 8 and May 9 at about 36 locations along the Western border. The drones are apparently Turkey-made. However, evidence to this effect is awaited.
“The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusion was to attempt infiltration and test India’s air defence system and collect intelligence,” said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, during a special press briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on ‘Operation Sindoor’.
On Thursday night, Pakistan targeted multiple cities, including military installations, with a volley of drones and missile attacks, however, all were repulsed by India’s robust air defence system, and this left the Pakistani Army flustered and panicky.
The women officers of the Indian Armed Forces informed that the forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done; however, “initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones”.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said: “On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure. It also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. However, all their attempts were neutralised by us via kinetic and non-kinetic means.”
Pakistani drones sighted at 26 places in India; armed drone injures family in Punjab’s Ferozpur
Pakistan on Friday continued sending swarms of drones across the Indian border, with the military saying drones were sighted in 26 locations, ranging from Baramulla in north Kashmir to Bhuj in Gujarat.
The military said drones were spotted in Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala.
“Drones have been sighted at 26 locations ranging from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south, along both the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan,” it said.
These include suspected armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets, it added. “The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Awantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala,” the military added.
“Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in severe injuries to members of a local family,” a military official said.
The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces.
“The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems,” said the official.
The situation is under close and constant watch, and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary, he said. “Citizens, especially in the border areas are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential,” the official said.
Closure of 24 airports for civilian flights extended till May 15
At least 24 airports in northern and western parts of the country, including Srinagar and Chandigarh, have been shut for civilian flights till May 15, sources said on Friday.
Earlier, these airports were closed for civilian flights till May 10 in view of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.
Airlines on Friday said that their flights have been cancelled due to temporary closure of airports till May 15.
The sources said at least 24 airports have been closed for civilian flights till 05:29 hours of May 15. The airports include Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishengarh, Patiala, Shimla, Dharamsala, and Bathinda. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Leh, Bikaner, Pathankot, Jammu, Jamnagar, and Bhuj are among the other airports that have been temporarily closed for civilian flights.
“Following a notification from aviation authorities on continued closure of multiple airports in India, Air India flights to and from the following stations — Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Rajkot — are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 15 May,” the airline said in a post on X.
Air India also said customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations.
In a post on X, IndiGo said in accordance with the latest directives from the relevant authorities, all flights to and from 10 destinations will remain cancelled until 0529 hours on May 15 due to temporary airport closures.
The airports are Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur and Kishangarh. “These precautionary measures have been instituted with your safety and security as our highest priority,” the airline said.
