Schools, Shops, Malls Shut; Night Blackouts In Border States Amid Pak Attack Bids After Op Sindoor — Details
Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing across border regions and attempted to target Indian military installations. However, its efforts were foiled, as the Indian Army intercepted and destroyed attack drones mid-air. The cross-border escalation has led to alerts in several states, with security measures, school closures, blackout orders, and restrictions on public gatherings and movement being enforced.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ordered cancellation of all leaves stating, "In view of the impending situation, no leave of any kind, including station leave, is to be granted to any officer except on medical grounds, till further orders. Further, the already sanctioned leave, if any, stands cancelled and the officers who are on leave are directed to resume their duties immediately."
- In Jammu and Kashmir, all schools and colleges will remain closed on Friday. Srinagar airport has been placed on high alert, and air defence batteries have been activated. Shops have also been ordered to shut amid heavy shelling by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri and Poonch sectors.
- According to orders issued on 8 May, Punjab has declared a three-day closure of all schools and colleges. In Amritsar, the administration announced that blackout drills will no longer be conducted. Instead, residents have been instructed to treat any sounding of a siren as a real alert and immediately switch off all lights.
All shops and establishments, including restaurants, in Chandigarh have been directed to close by 7:00 PM on Friday, May 9, 2025. However, medical shops are exempt from the order.
In Mohali, the administration has ordered all cinema halls and shopping complexes to shut from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily, effective today, until further notice. The order also imposes a total blackout during the night hours, banning all outdoor lighting through power backups such as inverters, generators, and solar lights. Firecrackers and long-beam laser or DJ lights are strictly prohibited in the evenings.
- In Rajasthan, comprehensive restrictions have been imposed. All schools and coaching institutes in five border districts—Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Sri Ganganagar—will remain shut until further notice. In Barmer, markets have been ordered to close completely after 5 PM, with a full blackout from 6 PM to 6 AM. Movement of any vehicles during this time is strictly prohibited.
Jaisalmer will also observe a full blackout from 6 PM to 6 AM. Movement within a 5-kilometre radius of defence areas is completely restricted. The use of UAVs, drone cameras, hot air balloons, and fireworks has been banned. Vehicle entry has been blocked 60 kilometres ahead of Jaisalmer city, and marketplaces have already shut down, leaving the streets deserted.
Additional instructions have been issued for other border areas in Rajasthan, directing shopkeepers to shut down their establishments post-7 PM. There is also a complete ban on loudspeakers, DJs, and other high-decibel sound equipment. Hotels, marriage palaces, and resorts have been asked to conduct wedding, religious, or other events during the day. Colleges, coaching centres, and libraries have also been closed. The directive, which remains effective for the next two months, warns that non-compliance will lead to legal action.
In Sirohi, Mount Abu’s markets are shut from 7 PM onwards, as per instructions from SDM IAS Dr Anshu Priya. A complete blackout will be observed in Mount Abu from 8 PM.
- In Delhi, all official leaves of administrative personnel have been cancelled, while Haryana has similarly revoked leaves of police and healthcare workers. Leaves have also been cancelled at AIIMS Delhi.
- Himachal Pradesh’s Una district also declared a holiday for schools amidst the rising tensions.
- Meanwhile, in Gujarat, a ban on the use of fireworks and drones is in place until 15 May. All leaves have been cancelled as part of the heightened security protocol.
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