Chandigarh once again came under high alert as air raid sirens echoed across the Union Territory on Friday morning, following warnings of a possible aerial threat. This comes just hours after similar sirens and a citywide blackout were enforced on Thursday evening, in the wake of missile and drone strikes by Pakistan across various Indian regions.
Officials reported that the sirens were activated for nearly an hour early this morning after a warning was relayed from the Air Force Station regarding a “possible attack.” The Chandigarh Administration swiftly issued a public advisory urging residents to remain indoors and avoid balconies.
Neighbouring Panchkula in Haryana followed suit, with its district administration also sounding alarms and issuing a similar indoor advisory. The heightened alert stems from escalating cross-border hostilities over the past 48 hours.
Schools shut, blackouts enforced in multiple cities
In response to the “emergent situation,” all private and government schools in Chandigarh will remain closed on Friday and Saturday, as confirmed by Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav. Authorities are taking preemptive safety measures across the region.
Several Indian cities including Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, Punjab’s Amritsar, and Haryana’s Panchkula also observed enforced blackouts last night, reflecting the broad scale of precautionary action across the western front.
India repels attacks, retaliates against Pakistani positions
According to the Indian Army, Pakistani forces executed “multiple attacks” using drones and munitions across the Western Border during the intervening night of May 8 and 9. Pakistani troops also initiated ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army confirmed that these drone incursions were successfully countered, with a “befitting reply” delivered in return.
A barrage of at least eight missiles was launched by Pakistan targeting RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, and Hiranagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Air defence systems intercepted incoming threats over Jammu, while ground-level shelling was reported in Punjab’s Pathankot.
Nationwide targets and India’s counter-strike
In a more aggressive show of force, Pakistan reportedly attempted to hit as many as 15 military targets in various Indian cities including Srinagar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Amritsar, and Bathinda. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that India’s air defence neutralised the incoming missiles and drones, with teams now collecting debris as material evidence of the attack.
India has since launched a counter-operation, striking air defence radars and installations in Pakistan, including sites in Lahore, as part of its strategic retaliation.
Escalation follows deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir
The sharp rise in hostilities follows a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities. The incident has sharply heightened military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Earlier this week, Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor, successfully destroying several terror camps and infrastructure facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), showcasing India’s heightened readiness to neutralize external threats.