Punjab News Today Live Updates: Red Alert over in Ludhiana, sirens sounded in Ferozepur; IndiGo suspends flights until May 15

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On May 8, 2025, an explosive device was recovered by the Chandigarh Crime Police team near Kacha Rasta Maloya, Jiri Mandi, Sector 39. The explosive, sealed in an iron box, was found in the possession of the accused, Sumandeep Singh and Jobanjit Singh, also known as Billa.

According to the Chandigarh CFSL, it was deemed unsafe to open the iron box without expert assistance from a specialized Bomb Disposal Squad.

As a result, a request was made to deploy a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) team from the Army to safely dispose of the explosive.

The disposal was carried out at 2:00 PM by the Bomb Disposal Squad.

(From Defence PRO, Western Command)

IndiGo Airlines has extended the suspension of its flights to several sensitive airports, including Chandigarh, across northern India until May 15, 2025, citing directives from regulatory authorities and ongoing security concerns.

Previously, the suspension was scheduled to last until May 10. However, in a statement released on social media, IndiGo confirmed that all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh will remain cancelled until 5.29am on May 15.

“These precautionary measures have been instituted with your safety and security as our highest priority,” the airline said. “We remain fully committed to providing you with unwavering support while navigating this situation together.”

Authorities in Kapurthala, Barnala, Phagwara and Ferozepur, Bathinda and Fazilka urged to stay indoors.

In Ferozepur, the activation of red alert sirens early in the morning led the administration to advise people to remain indoors.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief over the demise of fallen soldier Subedar Major Pawan Kumar of 25 Punjab Regiment in a shelling by the Pakistan army in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning. He belonged to the Shahpur Nagar Panchayat of Kangra district.

In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said that Subedar Major Pawan Kumar has made his supreme sacrifice for upholding the unity and sovereignty of the country and will be remembered by the people forever.

He said that the state government stands in solidarity with the affected family in this hour of grief and will also extend all possible assistance. He prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

Blasts were heard in Jalandhar and surrounding areas during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, with debris from what appeared to be missiles or drones being recovered. Jalandhar remained on red alert throughout the night, as several drones and other objects were neutralised. An alert was also sounded in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur on Saturday morning.

Amritsar has been given the green signal to return to normalcy, with the district administration allowing regular activities to resume. In an official statement, the Deputy Commissioner expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and support. “Thank you for your cooperation. Normal activities can now be resumed,” the DC said.

Ludhiana: The red alert issued earlier in the day has officially been lifted, the district administration announced at 2:46 pm on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana said, "there is "no need to panic."

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Punjab government has stepped in to safeguard student welfare, directing all universities and colleges across the state to prioritise safety and ensure no student is forced to leave campus under duress.

In a post on X on Saturday, Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated that institutions must not force students to leave campus due to safety, transport, or personal reasons.

"In light of the prevailing situation, all universities & colleges across the State are directed to ensure student safety. No student shall be forced to leave campus if unable or unwilling due to safety, transport, or personal reasons," Bains said.

Jalandhar stayed on red alert through the night as multiple drones and unidentified objects were neutralised. A fresh alert was issued in both Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur on Saturday morning.

Ferozepur: Sirens were sounded in the city as part of precautionary measures.

Panchkula: The Deputy Commissioner issued a set of directives amid heightened alert:

• Blackout in residential and commercial areas will be enforced only when sirens are sounded.
• The ban on firecrackers and use of loudspeakers remains in place.
• Walk-in self-defence training sessions will be held for five days starting Monday at Tau Devi Lal Stadium and Bitna (Pinjore).

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday urged the people not to believe in rumours and asked them to inform the police or the Army if they came to know about any explosion.

The Ludhiana administration has issued a red alert and urged all residents to remain indoors as a precautionary measure.

Pakistan on Saturday continued aggressive military actions with drone strikes and other weaponry near western boundaries. The Army issued a statement regarding 'Operation Sindoor' on Saturday morning saying that Pakistani drones spotted flying over Khasa Cantt in Amritsar were subsequently destroyed.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kapurthala has ordered the closure of all markets in Kapurthala and Phagwara towns, along with malls and high-rise commercial buildings, as a precautionary measure.

Chhichhra village in Gurdaspur show a patch of hollowed ground in an agricultural field, following what police confirm was an early morning explosion.

Inspector Jasvinde Pal Singh said, "It happened around 4.45 am. No loss has occurred. All officers, including those of the Army, have come here. I appeal to the people not to come and gather here. I appeal to them to stay at home. A blast had happened, we heard a sound."

On Saturday, security forces recovered fragments of a suspected projectile in Haryana’s Sirsa district. Locals reported the object fell near a nearby church. “My son saw this and told me that something was about to fall from the sky. We then saw something explode with loud noise. In the morning, we got to know that it had fallen near a church,” a resident told ANI.

Indian military on Saturday destroyed Pakistani drones flying over Khasa Cantonment in Amritsar and warned Islamabad against violating India's sovereignty. "Pakistan's blatant escalation with drone strikes and other munitions continues along our western borders," the Indian Army said in a statement.

"In one such incident, today at approximately 5 AM, Multiple enemy armed drones were spotted flying over Khasa Cantt, Amritsar. The hostile drones were instantly engaged and destroyed by our air defence units," it said.

The Army said, "Pakistan's blatant attempt to violate India's sovereignty and endanger civilians is unacceptable."

The Army, it added, will thwart enemy designs.

In response to heightened security concerns, the Jalandhar district administration has ordered the closure of all markets in Jalandhar Cantonment and Adampur. Additionally, malls and high-rise commercial complexes across the rest of the district will remain shut for the day as a precautionary measure.

Missile-like objects were found in fields and near houses in Bathinda, Ferozepur, and Hoshiarpur, with property damage reported. Roadways suspended services to Amritsar and Katra; bookings dropped sharply in Dalhousie and other tourist spots due to fear of attacks.

Authorities across Punjab and Haryana urged people to avoid non-essential outings, turn off lights, and follow all advisories strictly.

Armed drones were sighted and destroyed over Khasa Cantt in Amritsar and other locations. One drone struck a Ferozepur home, injuring 3 civilians.

Two explosions were heard in Jalandhar early Saturday; multiple blasts were reported Friday night in Amritsar.