New Delhi:
Firing resumed across the Line of Control (LoC) hours after India thwarted a wave of missile and drone attacks from Pakistan targeting military stations and other cities. India retaliated effectively against the Pakistani hostilities.
Here are the latest developments in India-Pakistan tensions:
- Air Sirens in Chandigarh: Air sirens have gone off in Chandigarh after a warning from the Air Force Station, alerting the residents of a potential aerial attack from Pakistan. The local administration has asked everyone to remain indoors and stay away from balconies.
- Markets Open in Red: Indian equity markets opened lower this morning amid heightened tensions. Sensex dropped 1,300 points during the pre-market hours, but it rebounded and opened just 500 points lower. Nifty, which had dropped below 24,000, regained the level.
- Firing Resumes Along LoC: Pakistani troops resumed firing across the Line of Control, including Kupwara and Uri, early this morning. The Indian Army gave a befitting reply. 16 civilians, including three women and five children, died in Pakistani shelling yesterday.
- Blackout in Border Areas: A blackout was enforced all night in Jammu, Srinagar, and several other cities. In Punjab, a total blackout was enforced till 5 am. In Rajasthan, the blackout was enforced in Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Barmer.
- Omar Abdullah in Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said he is reaching Jammu to take stock of the situation after last night’s “failed drone attack” by Pakistan that was directed at Jammu city and other parts of the division.
- India Foils Pak Attack: India foiled the second round of Pakistan’s airstrikes on military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur and several cities in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab. All missiles and drones were successfully intercepted.
- 24 Airports Closed: Indian aviation authorities shut 24 airports yesterday in view of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. These include airports in Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Shimla, Jodhpur, Jammu, and Pathankot.
- Schools, Colleges Shut: Punjab has closed all schools in its six border districts. In Chandigarh, the common capital for Punjab and Haryana, all schools have been closed till Saturday. Rajasthan has also closed schools and colleges in several districts. This morning, two Delhi schools – DPS RK Puram and DPS Mathura Road – also informed that they will remain shut.
- US Says ‘Not Our Business’: US Vice President JD Vance has encouraged both India and Pakistan to de-escalate, but maintained that the conflict is not their business. “We are not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it,” he said.
- IPL Match Called Off: The IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the Dharamshala stadium was called off yesterday as a precautionary measure, said IPL chairman Arun Dhumal. The Indian cricket board has arranged a special Vande Bharat train to transport the players to Delhi.