Watch: BSF completely destroys terrorist launch pad at Looni in Pakistan's Sialkot

NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday confirmed it had “completely destroyed” a terrorist launchpad in Pakistan's Sialkot district, opposite the Akhnoor area of Jammu, following unprovoked firing by Pakistani forces. The launchpad at Looni, reportedly used to facilitate infiltration and cross-border attacks, was eliminated in a precision strike late Friday night, according to BSF officials.The retaliation came after Pakistani forces opened fire without provocation on BSF posts along the International Border in Jammu at around 9 pm on Friday. “BSF responded in a commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of the Pakistan Rangers,” said a spokesperson. “Our resolve to protect India’s sovereignty is unshaken.”The strike was part of a broader escalation between India and Pakistan, which saw Indian forces retaliate across multiple fronts after sustained provocations. Defence ministry said that Pakistani drone and artillery attacks had targeted 26 locations across India, including Jammu, Baramulla, Pathankot, and even areas in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Armed drones were reportedly sighted in Ferozpur and other sensitive regions, prompting high alert and blackout measures in several border districts."The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch & prompt action is being taken wherever necessary," the ministry said.In Punjab, a drone-triggered explosion damaged a house in Jalandhar, while in Gujarat's Kutch, district authorities imposed blackouts and advised residents to stay indoors as a precaution. “The situation is under close and constant watch,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement, urging people in border areas to remain alert.Five people were killed in the Jammu region, including a two-year-old girl, a senior Jammu and Kashmir government officer, and a woman in Poonch district. Dozens more were injured in Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu following heavy shelling and suspected drone attacks. Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa was among those killed when an artillery shell struck his official residence in Rajouri.Forces have been carrying out retaliatory precision strikes since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Nine terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including known strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, were hit in missile strikes on May 7.