Blasts reported: Explosions were heard in Jammu city, in Indian-administered Kashmir, an Indian Army spokesperson told CNN, and a complete blackout is in place. Police in India’s Punjab state also received reports of blasts, according to a source.
Fresh escalation: It comes as Pakistan said it killed 40 to 50 Indian soldiers along the de facto border in Kashmir and downed 25 Indian drones across the country. Meanwhile, India said it has targeted air defense systems in Pakistan. CNN reported.
A loud sound, likely of shelling, was heard in Jaisalmer on Thursday, police sources said.
A top officer confirmed that a sound was heard in Jaisalmer.
Forces are on high alert and border districts remain under a blackout.
Further details are awaited.
Death toll rises: A Pakistani military official said at least 31 civilians were killed Wednesday. On the Indian side of the de facto border that divides Kashmir, cross-border Pakistani shelling has killed at least 16 people, according to India’s defense ministry.
Tourist massacre: The conflict’s escalation comes after militants killed more than two dozen civilians, mostly tourists, in Indian-controlled Kashmir last month. India accused Pakistan of being involved, which it has denied
Daljinder Singh Dhillon, senior superintendent of police in the city of Pathankot, said firing is also happening from the other side” but that it is unclear whether drones or “something else” is involved.
He said air defense is at work and explosions are “continuously being heard.”
“Our job is to keep people safe, so we had instated a blackout immediately and made sure people were indoors” Dhillon told CNN.
An Indian Army spokesperson told CNN that air defenses are also active in Jammu city.
The blackout has been in place since about 8 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. ET)
