'No need to panic': Amritsar administration urges residents to stay indoors as India Pakistan tensions escalate

NEW DELHI: Amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan, the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) in Amritsar has issued an advisory urging residents to remain indoors, switch off lights, and keep curtains drawn as a precautionary measure. "All citizens are requested to stay indoors and away from the windows, keep lights turned off, and draw the window curtains. There is no need to panic. A siren will blow now, and we will pass the message again once it is clear," the DPRO announced. The official also commended the armed forces and called for public cooperation. "Our armed forces are on the job, and we need to support them by staying indoors. There is no need to panic," the DPRO added. The alert follows heightened tensions along the border, with defence sources earlier confirming that the Indian Army had shot down two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir during an intense exchange of artillery fire. In a separate incident, Pakistan reportedly attempted to strike Indian military bases near the International Border in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff stated that the Indian Armed Forces responded swiftly and effectively, ensuring no casualties. In a post on platform X, the defence body said: "Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu and Kashmir, targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian Armed Forces as per SoP with kinetic and non-kinetic means."