In a dramatic escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Railways launched five special trains on Friday, May 9, 2025, to assist passengers in the border cities of Jammu, Udhampur, and Pathankot. This move comes amid ongoing military conflicts and heightened security concerns in the region.
Sources indicate that approximately 300 individuals affiliated with Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, including players and support staff, utilized a special Vande Bharat train to travel to Delhi. This train service was initiated after the IPL match between the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in Dharamsala was abruptly canceled due to floodlight failures attributed to security issues.
“Players and support staff of the IPL teams took the Vande Bharat train from Jalandhar after the closure of airports in the border areas amid escalating India-Pakistan tension,” a source familiar with the situation confirmed. The closure of these airports has significantly impacted travel in the area, leading many to rely on rail services.
In total, over 8,000 passengers traveled on these special trains to Delhi from the affected cities, which are grappling with frequent power outages and the looming threat of attacks from Pakistan. “A special train with 12 unreserved and 12 reserved coaches was operated from Udhampur to Delhi via Jammu at 10:45 am Friday,” stated a senior official from the Ministry of Railways. “Additionally, a 20-coach Vande Bharat rake departed at 12:45 pm from Udhampur to New Delhi via Jammu and Pathankot.” A further 22-coach reserved special train left Jammu around 7 pm the same day.
Officials have noted that the railway operations have remained unaffected by the ongoing blackouts, thanks to their independent grid system. “If any emergency arises, we have diesel locomotives available,” the official added. “All railway stations in border areas are being monitored in the war room at Railway Board level.”
However, the situation has led to an uptick in ticket cancellations for trains heading to Jammu, with officials reporting that trains towards Jammu are relatively empty while those returning from Jammu are seeing increased passenger numbers.
As the military conflict escalated, further developments unfolded on Saturday, May 10, 2025, with the tragic death of Rajouri's additional district development commissioner, Raj Kumar Thapa, who was killed in a blast. This incident underscores the severity of the ongoing violence, which has seen multiple explosions reported in Jammu, Srinagar, and Udhampur.
Pakistan has claimed that its three airbases were targeted by Indian missiles and drones, prompting the closure of 32 airports across India, including those in Shimla, Srinagar, Jammu, and Pathankot, effective until May 15, 2025. The Airports Authority of India has also temporarily closed 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions due to operational reasons.
On the ground, residents of Jammu have reported explosions every couple of minutes, with heavy shelling in various districts, including Jammu's Akhnoor area. The civil aviation ministry announced that the closure of airports is necessary due to the escalating tensions, which have led to significant disruptions in civil flight operations.
Indian defense forces have been actively engaged in countering a fresh wave of drone attacks from Pakistan, which targeted 26 locations. The situation has led to complete blackouts in several districts of Punjab, with a no-power protocol extended in Sangrur city and Barnala until 5 am.
In the midst of this turmoil, three individuals, including a couple, were injured when debris from a dismantled drone fell onto a car in Ferozepur. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan's actions, stating that they were aimed at both civilian and military targets within India.
In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 fatalities, India initiated 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Reports indicate that at least 100 terrorists were killed during this operation.
The United States has expressed that it will not intervene in the conflict, emphasizing that it remains a situation “fundamentally none of our business.” Vice President JD Vance reiterated the need for both nations to de-escalate tensions.
As the conflict continues, the Indian Premier League has been suspended due to rising security concerns, reflecting the broader impact of the military escalation on everyday life.
In a show of solidarity, G7 foreign ministers have condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint. They called for immediate de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Local officials in Jammu, including BJP MLA Arvind Gupta, have voiced concerns regarding the safety of civilians amid reports of Pakistani shelling targeting residential areas. “Pakistan has no guts to have a direct fight with our Army,” Gupta stated, urging residents to remain vigilant and stay indoors during attacks.
As the situation remains fluid, the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah, has expressed his condolences following the death of Raj Kumar Thapa, calling it a devastating loss for the region. “We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services,” he lamented.
With heavy security measures in place, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta assured that all government hospitals are prepared for any emergencies arising from the ongoing conflict. The administration remains on high alert, ready to respond to any situation that may develop.
The situation in the region is precarious, with both sides bracing for further developments as military operations and civilian safety remain at the forefront of concerns.