India Shoots Down Pakistan’s JF-17 Over Rajasthan, Pilot in Custody After Cross-Border Strike Attempt

A Pakistani pilot was captured by Indian security forces while ejecting from his fighter jet over Jaisalmer, India TV reported, citing sources. The pilot was captured from Lathi area of Rajasthan after his JF-17 fighter jet was shot down near the border, the report said.

Reportedly, the wreckage of the aircraft was found near Jaisalmer. A search operation is underway for any additional crew members or debris.

Defence officials informed India TV that the JF-17 crossed into Indian airspace then it was then intercepted and brought down by Indian air defence systems.

ANI reported that two Pakistani drones were shot down by Indian Army Air Defence Units in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir at midnight. It also reported heavy exchange of artillery fire on between the two sides in the sector.

Earlier in the evening, Pakistan launched an attempted strike on multiple Indian military installations across the northern and western regions, including Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar and Jalandhar. However, the attack was successfully thwarted as India's integrated air defence system intercepted the incoming missiles and drones before they could cause any damage.

"Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot & Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin #drones and missiles along the International Border in J&K today," the defence ministry tweeted.

It also informed that the threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The ministry confirmed that no casualties or material losses were reported.

India has fully mobilized its air defence capabilities in response to recent drone and missile threats, activating a comprehensive mix of long- and short-range systems. The S-400 missile system has been deployed to handle long-range threats, while tactical defences like L-70 anti-aircraft guns and Russian-made ZSU-23-4 Schilka systems have been positioned to counter low-altitude targets. This move comes after a series of reported attacks in areas including Jammu, Jaisalmer, Samba, Tangdhar, and Akhnoor.