News International – May 9, 2025
New Delhi, India – In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, eight missiles targeted at the Indian city of Jammu were intercepted late Wednesday evening, triggering a wave of blackouts stretching across northern India from Punjab to Rajasthan. The attempted strike marks one of the most audacious and coordinated attacks on Indian territory in recent years, with authorities now on high alert as investigations continue into the origin and intent of the attack.
Missile Interception in Jammu
Around 9:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday, citizens of Jammu reported loud explosions and streaks of light piercing the night sky. Within minutes, the Indian Air Force confirmed that eight incoming missiles had been detected and successfully neutralized mid-air by a combination of indigenous air defense systems, including the Akash and Israeli-supplied SPYDER units deployed in the region.
The interception occurred just outside Jammu's densely populated urban zone, with debris falling in uninhabited agricultural fields, sparing the city from what could have been catastrophic damage.
"There was a deep rumble and then flashes of light. At first, we thought it was fireworks, but then the electricity went out, and we knew something was wrong," said Rajat Sharma, a resident of Gandhi Nagar in Jammu.
National Blackout Triggered by Defense Protocols
In response to the missile threat, emergency defense protocols were activated, resulting in the temporary shutdown of key power grids across northern India. Grid operators in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan executed what officials later described as a "strategic blackout maneuver" – a rare contingency procedure designed to minimize the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to aerial or cyber threats.
The blackouts lasted between 30 minutes and 3 hours in most areas, with power being gradually restored through the night. Major cities including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jaipur, and parts of Delhi reported disruptions to civilian air traffic control, railway signaling, and hospital power supplies.
In Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed that over 50 towns experienced rolling blackouts. "We took immediate action based on national security directives. Our first priority was the safety of citizens and critical facilities," he said in a midnight press conference.
Tensions Mount Along the Border
Although no official source has confirmed the origin of the missiles, early speculation points to a cross-border launch from the western front, given the trajectory and timing. Security agencies have yet to assign definitive blame, but senior defense analysts suggest the attack could be a reaction to recent military exercises conducted by Indian forces near the Line of Control (LoC).
"We are in the early stages of determining the source," said Lt. General R.K. Bhalla (Retd), a strategic defense expert. "But the sophistication and timing of the launch suggest it was a deliberate attempt to test India's missile defense readiness and destabilize the region."
Pakistani authorities have not issued a formal statement as of Thursday morning, but diplomatic channels are reportedly active in New Delhi and Islamabad. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that India would be lodging a formal protest with international monitoring bodies.
Airspace Locked Down
In the immediate aftermath of the attempted missile strike, India imposed a temporary no-fly zone over Jammu and parts of northern Punjab. Civilian flights were either grounded or rerouted, with several inbound international carriers diverted to airports in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
"The airspace lockdown was a precautionary step to ensure civilian safety while our forces assessed the aerial threat," said an official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
FlightRadar data shows more than 20 commercial aircraft rerouted between 10:00 p.m. and midnight IST, affecting over 3,000 passengers.
Global Reaction
The United Nations has issued a brief statement expressing concern over the missile attack and called for restraint from all sides. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, currently on an official visit to Japan, stated, "This is a deeply troubling development in a region already on edge. We urge all nations involved to prioritize dialogue and avoid escalation."
The United States, a close strategic partner of India, condemned the attack and affirmed its support for India's sovereignty. "The United States strongly supports India’s right to defend itself against acts of aggression and will stand with the Indian people during this period of heightened tension," said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In London, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also voiced solidarity with India. "This reckless act could have had devastating consequences. The United Kingdom stands with India in demanding accountability and peace."
Impact on Civilian Life
While the interception prevented physical casualties, the psychological toll on civilians has been significant. Schools and government offices in Jammu, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur districts remained closed on Thursday as a precaution. Emergency sirens were tested in multiple towns, and people were advised to remain indoors during nighttime hours.
Hospitals reported a sharp increase in patients suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. In Jammu’s Government Medical College Hospital, emergency psychologist Dr. Savita Mehra described a "wave of trauma-related symptoms" among civilians, particularly children.
The Indian Railways also confirmed delays and diversions of several trains in northern India due to signaling disruptions linked to the power outage.
Military on High Alert
In response to the attack, India has raised its military readiness to the highest alert along its western and northern borders. Additional squadrons of fighter jets have been moved to forward airbases, and mobile missile defense units have been redeployed to sensitive zones.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) shortly after midnight. The meeting was attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and top military commanders.
An official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that India is prepared for "any further provocations" and will pursue all diplomatic and defensive channels to ensure national security.
What's Next?
As daylight returns to northern India, the debris from the intercepted missiles is being collected and analyzed by forensic teams. Preliminary images released by the Ministry of Defense show remnants of a dual-stage propulsion system, possibly of foreign origin.
Defense analysts caution that the current calm may be temporary. "This was not a warning shot—it was a coordinated and calculated strike that failed only because of India’s multi-layered defense systems," said Dr. Meera Krishnamurthy, a defense policy expert at the Observer Research Foundation. "We must prepare for the possibility of further cyber, kinetic, or hybrid attacks in the days to come."
While India recovers from a night of chaos and close calls, the strategic balance in South Asia has been sharply jolted. The international community now watches closely to see how India will respond — and whether this latest incident will tilt the region further toward confrontation or diplomacy.
