Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following India’s targeted military strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, panic gripped residents of Punjab’s border district Amritsar after loud explosions and mysterious lights lit up the sky around 1 a.m. on Thursday.
Residents of Jethuwal, Makhan Windi, and Pandher villages reported being jolted awake by a series of deafening blasts followed by a power outage. In the early morning, villagers discovered debris believed to be missile parts scattered across fields and near homes.
“There was panic all around. A part of the missile fell in a field at Jethuwal, while debris was found scattered over houses also,” said Parkash Singh, a resident of Jethuwal. Police and Indian Army personnel rushed to the site, cordoned off the area, and took possession of the missile fragments for investigation.
In Makhan Windi, residents were similarly alarmed. Advocate Jaswinder Singh said, “I woke up with a start on hearing the explosion. Soon, other members of the family and relatives in the city started calling up because they had also heard the blast.”
Eyewitnesses across the affected villages described seeing “illuminated objects” streaking across the sky, prompting speculation about whether this was a failed missile interception, debris from a successful strike, or an accidental misfire.
While there has been no official statement yet confirming the source of the missiles, defence sources suggest it may have been part of an air defence response or counter-attack amid the ongoing military operations.
The incident has heightened fears in border areas already on edge due to rising hostilities, with authorities urging calm and stepping up patrols. The Ministry of Defence is expected to issue a detailed statement following technical analysis of the recovered debris.
