Nightly blackouts and curfews were extended on Thursday, May 8, 2025, as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat fortified their frontiers with Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Authorities in Chandigarh and Haryana's Panchkula, Ambala, and Sirsa districts also ordered residents to switch off lights and stay indoors at night due to rising tensions in the region.
Electricity was shut down across the Kashmir Valley on Thursday evening as a precautionary measure, with officials advising that there is "no cause for alarm." PDP member Iltija Mufti expressed concern on social media, stating, "Blackout in Srinagar. God knows what awaits us." In response to the escalating situation, all schools, colleges, and universities in Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, 2025. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah indicated that the government would review the situation on Monday, May 12, to determine if the closures would be extended.
In Rajasthan, power blackouts were imposed for the second consecutive night in districts including Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar, and Jodhpur. The blackout timing was adjusted from the previous midnight to 4 AM schedule to a new window of 9 PM to 4 AM. The Border Security Force (BSF) has sealed the state's 1,070 km border with Pakistan to enhance security.
In Punjab, district commissioners in Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Fazilka, Amritsar, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur ordered a lights-out directive from Thursday night until further notice. All educational institutions in Punjab are closed for the next three days, with blackouts in effect in Gurdaspur from 9 PM to 5 AM.
Power was interrupted in Ferozepur at 2:30 AM on Thursday, with sirens sounding at 4 AM and supply resuming at 6:30 AM. The blackout in Pathankot began at 8:30 PM, coinciding with reports of air raid warnings. Around 10:30 PM, explosions were reported in Bathinda following sightings of "fireballs" in the sky, leading authorities to enforce an immediate blackout and urge residents to remain indoors. Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police Amneet Kondal confirmed one explosion near National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), stating that armed forces were investigating the incident.
An attempted drone attack near Uchi Bassi village close to Mukerian was neutralized, and a projectile was later found in the fields, prompting a blackout order by the Hoshiarpur district commissioner. A drone attack was also foiled near Jalandhar's Maqsudan/Suranasi area, with Jalandhar district commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal reporting that most drones had been neutralized.
In Amritsar, sounds of blasts on Wednesday night, May 7, 2025, led to the suspension of all joint ceremonies with Pakistan at Attari-Wagah, Hussainiwala, and Sadiqi indefinitely. Residents in border villages are preparing shelters, moving valuables inland, and securing livestock in response to the heightened alert. Panic buying surged in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, with the district commissioner urging calm and warning against hoarding.
In Rajasthan, residents of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar, and Jodhpur districts have been ordered to stay indoors and shut off lights. Sirens will signal the start and end of the blackout, and violations could lead to legal action. Anti-drone systems are operating around the clock, and combat patrols continue in the air. All schools, coaching centers, madrassas, and anganwadi centers in affected districts, including Jodhpur, are closed, with exams at Jai Narayan Vyas University postponed indefinitely. The Rajasthan police have suspended all leave, and hospitals across Phalodi district and nearby areas are on standby.
Meanwhile, Gujarat has placed Banaskantha, Patan, and Kutch districts under heightened alert. District in-charge secretaries have been ordered to visit assigned areas and oversee emergency preparedness. A drone-like object was found near Khavda in Kutch on Thursday, prompting an investigation by armed forces.
In Sirsa, the health department and fire service personnel have had their leaves canceled due to the ongoing tensions. Mock drills are being conducted to prepare citizens for emergency situations, with doctors, nursing staff, and para-medical staff remaining on call. The district administration is monitoring all activities closely, and orders have been issued to schools and colleges to conduct training for students through mock drills.
The district police superintendent, Dr. Mayank Gupta, issued an advisory urging citizens not to panic during air strikes and to avoid believing misleading posts on social media. He emphasized the importance of controlling lights during blackouts to prevent enemy aircraft from locating targets, stating, "Lighting allows the enemy to track the exact location, which can lead to serious loss of life and property." He called on citizens to cooperate with the district administration and follow the rules during blackouts.
Dr. Gupta also provided safety tips, advising residents to identify safe rooms in their homes, prepare emergency kits, and maintain mental balance by limiting news consumption. He encouraged community engagement and vigilance, urging citizens to report any suspicious objects to the police rather than posting on social media.
As tensions rise between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, the situation remains fluid, with authorities taking extensive precautions to ensure public safety. The ongoing blackouts and curfews reflect the seriousness of the current security landscape, as residents adapt to new realities in the wake of potential threats.
