India Pakistan highlights: Govt says armed forces are maintaining strong vigil

The Barmer district collector Tina Dabi has announced a high red alert across the district.

In the order issued, Dabi said, "All residents are ordered to immediately return to their homes. Markets must be closed, and all public movement is to cease with immediate effect."

"Authorities have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of these orders. This is an urgent notice," it added.

China on Saturday "strongly" urged India and Pakistan to avoid escalation in the current fighting, said Beijing's foreign ministry.

"We strongly call on both India and Pakistan to give priority to peace and stability, remain calm and restrained, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means and avoid taking actions that further escalate tensions," a statement by a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condoled the demise of Rajouri additional DC Raj Kumar Thappa in Pakistani shelling on Saturday.

"Deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of one of our brave officers - Raj Kumar Thappa Additional DC in Rajouri due to shelling from across the border. War is always a tragedy but it becomes even more heartbreaking when innocent civilians including children bear the brunt of the mindless violence. This cycle of retaliation has already cost far too many precious lives and shows no signs of ending," she said in a post on X.

"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace," she added.

The administration in Gujarat's Kutch region has issued an advisory, asking residents to stay indoors and not step out unnecessarily in view of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.

"All citizens should stay safe indoors. Do not step out of the house unnecessarily, and do not pay attention to any rumours. Do not panic," the Kutch collector stated in a post on the administration's 'X' account.

Hockey India president and former captain Dilip Tirkey hailed the Indian armed forces for their execution of Operation Sindoor.

"Our forces are successfully carrying out Operation Sindoor... Terror camps have been destroyed successfully. Pakistan's drone attacks were also destroyed successfully by our forces. The Operation Sindoor should continue, and we are with our security forces," he said while speaking to news agency ANI.

A statement from the US State Department of Consular Affairs said that the US mission to Pakistan has restricted all personnel movements, adding that it will reassess its order on Saturday afternoon, Reuters reported.

In response to Pakistan's unprovoked firing on BSF posts in Jammu, the border security force responded "in commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of the Pakistan Rangers along the international boundary".

"The terrorist launch pad at Looni, district Sialkot opposite Akhnoor area was completely destroyed by the BSF. Our resolve to protect India's sovereignty is unshaken," the BSF Jammu said.

Former diplomat KP Fabian told news agency ANI that the military conflict between India and Pakistan is not a "full-scale war".

"Is it a full-scale war? No, as a full-scale war involves ground troops and tankers... The leadership in Pakistan, both at the levels of civilian government and army, is insecure, and an insecure leadership doesn't act rationally," he said.

Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the National Command Authority, the body which oversees the country's nuclear arsenal, the military said as per Reuters.

Debris of an unidentified object was reportedly found in Jaisalmer's Rajasthan, news agency PTI reported, sharing visuals.

According to news agency PTI, debris of an unidentified object was found in Punjab's Tarn Taran.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister visited the residence of Rajouri additional district development commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa, who was killed in heavy Pakistani shelling early on Saturday.

Pakistan on Saturday claimed that it has launched a military operation Bunyan Un Marsoor (Operation Molten Lava) against India.

Pakistan claimed that Indian jets attacked three of its airbases with missiles, adding that "air force assets" were safe, said military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

The Indian Army said in a statement that drones were sighted at 26 locations from North's Baramulla to South's Bhuj, along the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan. "These include suspected armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets."

"The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala," they said.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah arrived at the Aap Shambhu Temple, where earlier today a Pakistani strike took place.

Pakistan's claim that it destroyed India's S-400 air defense system in Adampur is "false", news agency PTI reported, citing an Indian military official.

Earlier Pakistani PTV broadcaster had reported that its air force's hypersonic missiles took down the S-400 system in Adampur.

Several houses in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara region have been damaged in Pakistan shelling.

A drone reportedly fell down in residential area of village Wadala on Saturday morning in Amritsar. The drone fell in the courtyard of a cattle shed and immediately caught fire.

Residents immediately gathered at the scene and doused the flames with water.

Damaged parts of a drone or an unidentified object have been found in Udhampur's Narsoo area.

Security forces are currently on the spot.

Odisha government has cancelled all the sanctioned leaves for RDCS, Collectors and District Magistrates amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

They have been asked to return to headquarters and resume duty immediately. No further leave will be granted to them in this period.

The owner of a house in Jammu's civilian area escaped after her house suffered massive damage due to Pakistan shelling.

Speaking to news agency ANI, she said, "This happened at 6.03 am. I don't know what fell on my terrace but it fell inside the house and filled it with smoke. We somehow opened the doors and rushed out. It was just my daughter and I in the house, and all of us are safe. The house has suffered damage...Loud explosions were occurring."

Barnala DC said that a blast-like sound was reported in the region, adding that investigation is underway to confirm the same.

The residents for now have been advised to stay indoors while the situation is under control now.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah visited civilian areas in Jammu, including in Rehari colony where houses were damaged in Pakistani shelling.

Abdullah reportedly left immediately after the visit.

Pakistan air force on Saturday dropped bombs on civilian area in Jammu's Bantalab. However, the Indian Air Force has started its action.

The Indian army said that multiple enemy drones were spotted flying over Khasa Cantt in Amritsar at around 5 am on Saturday morning, adding that India's air defence units instantly destroyed the hostile drones.

"Pakistan’s blatant escalation with drone strikes and other munitions continues along our western borders. In one such incident, today at approximately 5 AM, Multiple enemy armed drones were spotted flying over Khasa Cantt, Amritsar. The hostile drones were instantly engaged and destroyed by our air defence units. Pakistan’s blatant attempt to violate India’s sovereignty and endanger civilians is unacceptable. #IndianArmy will thwart enemy designs," the Army said.