Air raid sirens were sounded in the Union Territory – Chandigarh on Friday (May 9, 2025) morning (around 9:30 am), following an air warning received from the Air Force station surrounding a possible aerial attack.The sirens were sounded across the city as a precautionary measure, and all were advised to remain indoors and away from balconies, according to a message issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh.
A blackout was observed in Chandigarh on Thursday (May 8, 2025) night and several districts of Punjab, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, Fazilka, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, according to officials.In Jalandhar, some drones were spotted that neutralised at around 11.20 p.m. by security forces, as per official sources.
The States of Punjab and Haryana and Union Territory, Chandigarh, continued to be on alert mode in the wake of India’s action against terror emanating from Pakistan. On Thursday (May 8, 2025), leaves of government personnel in government departments including police and health were cancelled and personnel were asked to be geared up round-the-clock.
Punjab government has ordered that all Schools, Colleges, and Universities — Government, Private, and aided — across the entire Punjab shall remain completely closed for the next three days. The decision has been taken in view of the evolving situation, said Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains on Thursday (May 8, 2025) night.
Blackout enforced in Punjab districts; drones neutralised in Jalandhar
A blackout was observed in several districts of Punjab including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Rupnagar, Fazilka, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, and also the Union Territory Chandigarh on Thursday (May 8, 2025) night according to officials.
The move came amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan.In Jalandhar, some drones were spotted that neutralised at around 11.20 p.m. by security forces, as per official sources.
In Pathankot district, some locals claimed they heard explosion-like sounds. However, there was no official confirmation in this regard.
“There was loud noise, like sounds of bombing, and also non-stop sirens. It was too scary,” said a resident of Sujanpur in Pathankot.
Air raid warning sirens were activated in Pathankot where the blackout was enforced around 8.30 p.m.
Authorities appealed to people to keep their lights switched off and stay at home. They also said there was no need to panic.
Pathankot Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal asked citizens in the border district to remain inside their homes and follow the protocols of the blackout.
Officials said the blackout was enforced as a precautionary measure to ensure safety of citizens.
Meanwhile, the Mohali district administration declared jurisdiction of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar as ‘No Flying Zone’ for drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
District Magistrate, SAS Nagar, Komal Mittal while exercising the power conferred upon under section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, ordered that the whole jurisdiction of SAS Nagar shall be “No Flying Zone” with effect from May 8 till July 5.
However, this order shall not be applicable on law enforcement agencies –police, paramilitary, air force, SPG personnel and persons authorized by competent government authority.
Punjab is in alert mode with schools in border districts closed and leaves of all police personnel cancelled, officials said a day after India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Operation Sindoor: PM stresses need for continued alertness, institutional synergy
Prime Minister Modi chairs high-level meeting to review national security preparedness, emphasising alertness, synergy, and communication mechanisms for safety
Operation Sindoor: PM stresses need for continued alertness, institutional synergy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (May 8, 2025) chaired a high-level meeting with Union Secretaries to review the country’s preparedness and inter-Ministerial coordination in light of recent developments pertaining to national security.
According to an official release, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for continued alertness, institutional synergy, and clear communication mechanisms as the nation navigates a sensitive period. He reiterated the Centre’s unwavering commitment to ensuring national security, operational preparedness, and the safety of citizens.
The review meeting comes in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, and subsequent retaliatory strikes by Indian armed forces on May 7 targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Security agencies have since intensified surveillance and preparedness under Operation Sindoor, which remains ongoing.
“All Ministries are fully prepared to respond to emerging situations,” the Government statement said, noting that actionable points have been identified by Ministries in relation to the conflict, with institutional processes being reinforced accordingly.
The meeting also discussed a range of issues, including the strengthening of civil defence mechanisms, strategies to counter misinformation and fake news, and the safeguarding of critical infrastructure. Ministries were advised to work in close coordination with State Governments and ground-level agencies.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of seamless coordination among Ministries and departments to maintain operational continuity and institutional resilience. Secretaries have been directed to conduct a thorough review of their respective departments to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of essential services, with an emphasis on readiness, emergency response, and internal communication frameworks.
Secretaries presented their preparedness plans under a “whole of Government” approach in response to the current security landscape.
The meeting was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, and Secretaries from key Ministries including Defence, Home, External Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Power, Health, and Telecommunications.