Blackouts, blasts, and drones: Air raid fears prompt massive blackouts in parts of Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana

CHANDIGARH: A widespread blackout was enforced across several districts of Punjab, Chandigarh, and Haryana’s Panchkula Ambala and Sirsa districts on Thursday night as tensions flared between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor and the threat of air strikes.Authorities ordered residents to switch off lights and stay indoors, accompanied by sirens and announcements from the police.Amritsar, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Faridkot districts were subject to blackout orders. In Pathankot, the blackout began at 8.30 pm, coinciding with reports of air raid warnings. Gurdaspur’s blackout started at 9 pm and was extended until further notice. Key facilities like hospitals and the central jail were exempt but were instructed to keep windows closed.Mock drills were conducted in Kapurthala and Phagwara as a precautionary measure. Hospitals in border areas were directed to ensure continuous power supply, maintain sufficient water and fuel reserves, and have backup generators ready.Explosions reported in BathindaAround 10.30 pm, explosions were reported in Bathinda following sightings of fireballs in the sky. Three to four explosions were heard in quick succession. The administration enforced an immediate blackout and urged residents to remain indoors. Bathinda’s SSP Amneet Kondal, confirmed one explosion near the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) and stated that the armed forces were investigating.Drones neutralised in Hoshiarpur, JalandharIn the same period, an attempted attack near Uchi Bassi village, near Mukerian, was neutralised. A projectile was later recovered from the fields, prompting an immediate blackout order by Hoshiarpur deputy commissioner.Adrone attack was also foiled near Jalandhar’s Maqsudan/Suranasi area later that night. Jalandhar DC Himanshu Aggarwal confirmed that most drones had been neutralised, assuring the public that civilians were not targeted.Earlier, in the early hours of Thursday, a series of explosions and sight of fireballs streaking across the sky set off panic in Amritsar, with reports of “missile debris” found in several villages emerging later in the morning.Around 1 am, six loud explosions were heard within a span of just seven minutes, causing the city to plunge into darkness. The district administration attributed the blasts to possible sonic booms, but residents were left shaken The local administration offered only a brief statement that “Amritsar is safe”, while assuring residents that precautionary measures were in place. Deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, “We are observing precaution, there is no need to panic.”The city experienced two blackouts. Police commissioner Gurpreet Bhullar clarified that the blackouts were a temporary measure prompted by the loud noises.By Thursday morning, reports surfaced of missile debris scattered across four villages of Makhanwindi, Jethuwal, Pandher, and Dudhala. Villagers were quick to document the fragments, with many taking selfies next to the metallic remains. Local authorities, however, refrained from identifying the specific sites of the debris collection.A senior police officer confirmed that Army teams were dispatched to the affected villages to recover the wreckage.