India Shoots Down Pakistan’s F-16 in Rajasthan After Unprovoked Airspace Breach
An F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force was shot down by India in Rajasthan’s Ramgad sector on Thursday evening amid a wave of cross-border attacks.
The Indian Air Force on Thursday evening shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet that intruded into Indian airspace over Rajasthan’s Ramgad sector, officials confirmed. The incident occurred amid ongoing unprovoked aggression by Pakistan across the western border.
The downing of the aircraft comes after multiple missiles and drones were launched from Pakistan into Indian territory over the last 48 hours, targeting Jammu, Punjab, and now Rajasthan.
Massive explosions were heard in Jaisalmer late Thursday evening. Residents reported loud booms followed by a series of smaller blasts over nearly an hour. A blackout was immediately enforced in parts of western Rajasthan, including Barmer, Sriganganagar, Bikaner, and Jodhpur.
District administrations ordered all lights to be switched off as a precaution. “There is a red alert. Everybody stay in their homes and turn off all lights,” said Sriganganagar Police in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Jodhpur District Magistrate Gaurav Agarwal echoed similar instructions, asking all residents to ensure complete darkness until further notice.
Earlier in the day, India’s air defence systems intercepted at least eight missiles launched from across the International Border. These were aimed at key locations in Jammu, including the Satwari airbase. The S-400 missile defence system was deployed to neutralise the aerial threats.
Two Pakistani drones were also shot down near Jammu University, officials added.
The latest developments follow India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The military action was in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply since the strikes, with both nations reinforcing military presence along the border and enforcing heightened security protocols in civilian areas.
Union Home Ministry sources said all border states are on high alert, and civil defence protocols have been activated. “India will respond decisively to any further provocations,” an official told HT on condition of anonymity.
Security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, and the Indian Air Force remains on standby.
