India, May 9 -- Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated on Friday evening as Pakistani drones were intercepted over Jammu, Samba, and Pathankot.

As blasts echoed, Jammu was plunged into darkness, with sirens blaring across the city. Red streaks lit the sky as India's air defence intercepted Pakistani drones during a blackout in Nagrota.

Pakistani drones were also shot down in Rajasthan's Barmer, Pokhran, Jaisalmer, and Phalodi.

In Srinagar, mosque loudspeakers were used to warn locals to turn off their lights as a precautionary measure.

The blasts occurred amid ongoing cross-border shelling by Pakistan, a response to India's recent airstrikes on terrorist hideouts as part of Operation Sindoor.

"Intermittent sounds of blasts, pr...