New Delhi: After India reportedly launched drone strikes on multiple Pakistani cities, the US Consulate General in Lahore on Thursday directed all consulate personnel to leave or take shelter.
The security alert issued by the US read: “Due to reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions in and near Lahore, the US Consulate General in Lahore has directed all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place.”
The Consulate further said that it has also received initial reports that authorities may be evacuating some areas adjacent to Lahore’s main airport.
The statement added: “US citizens who find themselves in an area of active conflict should leave if they can do so safely. If it is not safe to leave, they should shelter-in-place.”
The US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan said it will send updates as needed through the messaging system. “Please ensure that you are enrolled in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP),” the alert pointed out.
The US Consulate General also listed out the actions that should be taken by the US citizens, including seeking secure shelter, having evacuation plans that do not rely on US government assistance, having travel documents up to date and easily accessible, monitoring local media for updates and carrying proper identification and cooperate with authorities.
‘Closely monitoring developments’
On Wednesday following the Operation Sindoor, the US Mission in Pakistan issued a security alert advising American citizens to leave areas of active conflict, saying it is “closely monitoring developments”.
Titled ‘Military Activity and Closed Airspace’, the security alert said, “We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments. “US citizens are reminded of the ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for areas in the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict, and the US Department of State’s ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisory for Pakistan generally,” the alert said.
India targets air defence radars, systems in Pakistan
During the press briefing on Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, India had called its response as focused, measured and non-escalatory. It was specifically mentioned that Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted. It was also reiterated that any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response.
On the night of May 7-8, India said that Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems. The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks.
On Thursday morning, Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised, according to Ministry of Defence.
