Pakistani Jet Downed in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence, Say Sources

Pathankot: A Pakistani Air Force fighter jet was reportedly shot down by Indian air defence systems in the Pathankot region of Punjab, according to multiple sources cited by PTI on Friday. An official statement from the Indian government is still awaited.

Earlier in the day, defence sources confirmed that the Indian Army had neutralised two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The incidents occurred amid a heavy exchange of artillery fire between Indian and Pakistani forces.

The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) reported that Pakistan had attempted to strike Indian military installations located in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur areas near the International Border (IB). The Indian Armed Forces successfully countered the attacks, and no casualties have been reported.

In a statement on platform X, HQ IDS said:
“Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu and Kashmir targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian Armed Forces as per SoP with kinetic and non-kinetic means.”

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting with the Director Generals of all border guarding forces to assess the ongoing security scenario. The meeting focused on the preparedness of Indian forces following Pakistan’s large-scale missile and drone assault on multiple Indian locations, including Jammu and Rajasthan. Key areas targeted in the attacks included Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, Arnia, and Jaisalmer. All incoming threats were intercepted by India’s air defence systems, with no major damage reported.

In a separate meeting, the Home Minister reviewed airport security nationwide with the CISF Director General amid heightened alerts at critical infrastructure sites.

These developments follow Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7, in which the Indian Armed Forces conducted missile strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Officials stated that the targets were terror infrastructure associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The strikes were a response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 28 civilians.