On Thursday night, regions bordering Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana were enveloped in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty following the escalated tensions post 'Operation Sindoor'. Schools remained shut, most people stayed indoors, while sirens echoed through the night. By Friday morning, the tension lingered; locals remained composed yet anxious about what lay ahead.
The night was punctuated by power outages and loud blasts tearing through the stillness, stirring fears that their homes might become a frontline in the India-Pakistan conflict. However, the night passed without any major incidents, bringing a sense of relief to the inhabitants of border areas in Rajasthan and Punjab.
Punjab boasts a 532-kilometer stretch bordering Pakistan, while Rajasthan shares approximately a 1070-kilometer border. Residing near borders like Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur, communities endured an anxious night amid a total blackout. In Pathankot, some locals claimed to have heard explosion-like sounds Thursday night, though Friday morning returned a calm ambience.
Residents expressed concern over unfolding events but placed their trust in the Indian Armed Forces for thwarting Pakistani maneuvers. Even Friday morning in Amritsar and Ferozepur maintained a tranquil vibe.
Despite the calm atmosphere, some Ferozepur residents expressed apprehension due to circulating rumors. In Bathinda, a resident remarked, "Throughout the blackout, we heard gunfire until midnight, feared touched the night, but by dawn, everything fell silent."
Special prayers for peace were conducted in Mohali and Ropar Gurdwaras. During his Friday morning stroll, Baldev Chand, an elder from Chandigarh, commented that the previous night invoked concern, yet emphasized the reassurance Indian Armed Forces actions offer.
Chandigarh's UT administration, however, sounded an air raid siren urging citizens to stay indoors. An official statement noted, "Potential airstrike warnings have emerged from the Air Force station. Sirens are sounding. It's advisable for everyone to remain inside and steer clear of balconies." An hour later, the alert concluded.
Sirens echoed in Haryana's Panchkula, Ambala, and Patiala too, advising people to remain calm. In Rajasthan's border districts, residents spent a harrowing night amid the blackout and loud explosions.
A resident of Jaisalmer recounted, "Although visibility was zero, the loud sounds were terrifying." Another added, "After the blackout, we were clueless about the events, later uncovering it was a thwarted Pakistani attack by our Armed Forces."
The blackout in Jaisalmer continued till 6 AM Friday without any chaos. At dawn, a bomb-like object was found in the Kishan Ghat area, leading to a swift response from police and the Air Force.
Station House Officer Prem Dhan stated, "It resembles a bomb-like object. Whether active or inactive remains unclear." Army experts are on their way to neutralize it, and the area has been cordoned off.
In Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur, district administration issued advisories ensuring citizen safety, urging a complete blackout. On Thursday night, India countered Pakistan's attempts to target military installations in 15 cities.
This operation unfolded as part of 'Operation Sindoor'—a retaliatory strike on April 22, post-Pahalgam terror attack, targeting nine terrorist havens across Pakistan and PoK, leading to Pakistani drone and missile strike attempts ultimately foiled by India.
