The Barmer administration in Rajasthan issued an urgent warning late Sunday regarding “incoming drone activity,” advising residents to remain indoors as the city and other border areas were plunged into a full blackout.
This heightened alert comes amid fears of renewed aggression from Pakistan, similar to Saturday’s violation of a recently established ceasefire understanding. “INCOMING DRONES ACTIVITY SPOTTED. Pls stay inside your houses and observe blackout. DM Barmer” Barmer administration wrote on X.
Blackouts were enforced in Jaisalmer from 7:30 pm and Barmer from 8:00 pm, extending to other border regions as a precautionary measure. Shortly after the blackout began, unconfirmed reports emerged of red lights, suspected to be drones, spotted in the Barmer sky. Security forces remain on high alert across the region.
The renewed tension shattered the brief respite that followed an understanding between India and Pakistan to halt military actions after four days of confrontation. While markets had reopened and some normalcy had returned on Sunday, including the North Western Railway restoring 16 cancelled and 11 partially-cancelled train services, the evening brought fresh anxieties.
This was not the first instance of such threats. Jaisalmer and Barmer had experienced drone attacks from Pakistan on both Thursday and Friday nights, though Indian defence forces reportedly destroyed these mid-air without causing casualties or property damage. Debris from drones and missile-like objects was found in various locations on Saturday.
On Sunday, debris of another drone was found in Burtiya village in Barmer. Drone activity was also reported from Anupgarh and Ganganagar. Amidst these developments, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat held a meeting with officials in Jodhpur, reviewing preparatory measures and directing them to maintain constant alertness and vigil.
