In a dramatic escalation of military tensions between India and Pakistan, multiple security measures were triggered across North India following a series of cross-border provocations, including drone attacks and ceasefire violations by Pakistan’s armed forces. The Indian Army reported that the attacks, which occurred during the intervening night of May 8–9, were “effectively repulsed.”
In the early hours of Friday morning (May 9), air raid sirens echoed across Chandigarh at approximately 9:30 a.m. after an air warning was issued by the local Air Force station, raising fears of a potential aerial attack. The Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh urged residents to stay indoors and avoid balconies. The alert was later called off around 10:16 a.m., providing temporary relief to anxious citizens.
On Thursday night, a full-scale blackout was observed in several districts of Punjab, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, Fazilka, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, as well as in Chandigarh. These precautionary measures were taken to minimize the risk of detection and targeting in case of further aerial threats.
Responding to the heightened threat, the Punjab government announced the closure of all educational institutions — including schools, colleges, and universities — for the next three days across the state. Similarly, the Jammu & Kashmir administration ordered all educational institutions in the Union Territory to remain closed for the next two days.
The Indian Army, in an official communication, confirmed that Pakistani troops carried out “numerous ceasefire violations” along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. In response, Indian forces took swift and effective countermeasures.
The situation has prompted a wide-ranging response from state and central authorities:
- IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely amid growing security concerns.
- Delhi Airport issued an advisory to travelers to check for flight updates and possible delays.
- Tamil Nadu announced a helpline to assist its students studying in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Kerala set up control rooms to support its residents living in border states.
- Mohali district administration advised residents in border areas near Chandigarh to remain indoors and vigilant.
As the situation continues to develop, authorities are urging calm while maintaining a state of high preparedness. The central government is reportedly in continuous coordination with all state administrations and defence agencies to assess threats and ensure civilian safety.
This marked escalation underscores the fragile nature of the India-Pakistan relationship and the urgent need for diplomatic engagement, even as military readiness remains paramount.
