LIVE | Operation Sindoor, India-Pakistan Tensions Live: Pakistan attacked 36 Indian locations with Turkish drones, using civilian airlines as shields

Blackouts were imposed in several districts of Punjab on Thursday, including in Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Mohali, as well as in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, due to growing tensions between India and Pakistan.

In Jalandhar, drones were spotted but neutralised by security forces around 11:20 pm. In Pathankot, some residents reported hearing explosion-like noises, though this was not officially confirmed. One resident from Sujanpur described hearing loud sounds similar to bombing and non-stop sirens, which created fear among the community, reported PTI.

Air raid sirens were activated in Pathankot, and the blackout began around 8:30 pm. Authorities urged people to turn off their lights and stay indoors, assuring them that there was no need to panic. Pathankot’s Deputy Commissioner, Aditya Uppal, advised residents to stay inside and follow the blackout protocols. The blackout also affected other areas such as Rupnagar, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Bathinda, Patiala, and Panchkula in Haryana.

The Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for guarding India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) protects the border with China, while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) handles security along the borders with Nepal and Bhutan.

Amid rising tensions along the border regions, the Punjab government on Thursday directed all schools, colleges, and other educational institutions to remain closed for the next three days. It also cancelled all police leaves to ensure maximum security presence. As a safety step, officials in Tarn Taran and Fazilka districts banned the use of firecrackers during weddings and other celebrations, reported PTI. A special control room has been set up by the state government to assist the public. In Chandigarh, which serves as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, all schools have been ordered to stay closed until Saturday.

US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said that the United States hopes India and Pakistan will ease tensions in their growing conflict, but made it clear that the situation is not something the US plans to get directly involved in. Speaking to Fox News, Vance said that while the US can encourage both sides to calm the situation, it does not intend to step into a conflict that doesn’t directly concern America or fall within its control. Vance maintained that this issue should be handled by the countries involved. “What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit, but we’re not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business,” Vance said.

Blackouts enforced in several border areas due to rising India-Pak tensions

Jammu & Kashmir: Complete power cuts were put in place in Samba, Udhampur, Rajouri, and a few other regions of Jammu & Kashmir as a safety measure.

Rajasthan: The border cities of Jaisalmer and Barmer are also experiencing full blackouts. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma held a key meeting at his residence to review the security situation along Rajasthan’s international border.

Punjab and Chandigarh: Several districts in Punjab, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Tarn Taran, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh, are under blackout.

Gujarat: Power has been cut in various parts of Kutch and Banaskantha—both districts that border Pakistan.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma chaired a high-level meet to discuss the situation along the border. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, Director General of Intelligence, and the Additional Director General of Law and Order.

According to news agency ANI, explosions have been heard in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch areas.

BSF Jammu took to X on May 8 and informed that at around 11:00 pm they foiled a major infiltration bid at the international Boundary in Samba district.

Due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Delhi Airport has announced that its operations are continuing as usual. However, it mentioned that some flights may be affected because of changes in airspace and increased security measures. The airport has advised passengers to stay updated by contacting their airlines and to only trust official sources for information. Authorities also requested the public not to spread unverified news and assured that they are working with all concerned teams to reduce any inconvenience.

IndiGo: The airline suggested that if a passenger booked their ticket on or before 8th May 2025 for travel until 22nd May 2025, they can change or cancel your flight without paying a fee. The airline said that this applies to flights going to or from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot.

Air India: Due to new airport security rules, all passengers in India were advised to reach the airport at least 3 hours before their flight. Air India said that it would help make check-in and boarding smoother. Check-in will close 75 minutes before the flight.

Akasa Air: Because of tighter security at all airports in India, Akasa Air advised passengers to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before their flight. It urged the passengers to bring a valid photo ID approved by the government. Passengers have been allowed to carry only one handbag (up to 7 kg) apart from their checked-in luggage. All passengers must go through an extra security check before boarding.

SpiceJet: With increased security at all airports, the airlines advised the passengers to reach the airport at least 3 hours before their flight. It said that this move would help with smooth check-in and boarding. As per BCAS rules, check-in will close 75 minutes before your flight.

IndiGo announced that flight bookings made on or before May 8, 2025, are eligible for a waiver of change/cancellation fees for travel to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot, for travel until May 22, 2025.

At around 11 pm on 8 May 2025, BSF foiled a major infiltration bid at the International Boundary in Samba district, J&K, informs BSF Jammu.

In light of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Thursday issued a detailed advisory enhancing security at all civil aviation facilities nationwide. The measures include banning visitor entry into airport terminal buildings and mandating Secondary Ladder Point Checking (SLPC) for all flights.

Citing the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, BCAS emphasised the need for heightened vigilance at airports, airfields, helipads, and related installations to prevent any untoward incidents. The advisory directs all stakeholders in civil aviation to implement strict security protocols to ensure public safety across the country’s aviation infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on an unannounced visit aimed at defusing escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Al-Jubeir is believed to have brought a message from the Saudi leadership, urging restraint and dialogue.

He held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the regional situation following India’s targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on social media, stating it was a “good meeting” and that he had shared India’s firm stance on combating terrorism with the visiting Saudi minister.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday ordered the cancellation of all leaves for government employees and approved the release of Rs 5 crore each to the border districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sriganganagar. The move comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Indian strikes on terror infrastructure in response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre. The chief minister issued special instructions after speaking with district collectors and police officials to ensure preparedness along the border.

Pakistani drones were sighted in Bathinda, which have been neutralised by Indian forces.

On being asked if it is the view of the United States along with what India says that Pakistan is supporting terrorist groups, US State Dept Spox Tammy Bruce says, “Obviously in today’s world, that’s a call that we have been making for decades. It is the dynamic that we’ve seen in the Middle East disrupting lives and clearly what happened in Kashmir is awful and we’ve all send our condolences. The world has rejected the nature of that kind of violence…”

Security has been heightened around India Gate in view of Pakistan’s failed attempts to attack locations along western border.

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, “There’s some discussion that Pakistan wants an independent investigation as to what has happened regarding the terrorist attack. We want the perpetrators to be held accountable and are supportive of any efforts to that end…We continue to urge India and Pakistan to work towards a responsible solution in this. We also want to say that what matters in this particular instance right now is that the phone calls happened and we are remaining engaged with both governments at multiple levels. We will not engage in the nature of discussing what the conversations have been or what we’ve conveyed…”

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, “…The real focus of the Secretary of State is that this should not escalate. This has been a key framework. This has been an issue for decades and with what we saw over the last few weeks, after the terrorist attack. It was not surprising but very, very disappointing. It should not escalate and communication was fundamentally key that there should be talks, there should not be silence, and that America was at the center of this in speaking with a variety of leaders of both countries over the last two days…”

Delhi Airport said that the flight operations are normal. Some flights are impacted due to changing airspace conditions and heightened security. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest updates.

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, “This morning Secretary Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and EAM Dr S Jaishankar. In both calls, the Secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation and called for an end to the violence. He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications.”

News agency ANI quoted Defence sources to say that two Pakistani drones had been shot down by Indian Army Air Defence Units in Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Heavy exchange of artillery fire on between the two sides in the sector.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Director Generals of border guarding forces to take stock of the border situation. He also spoke with the CISF DG regarding airport security.

“In light of enhanced security measures across all airports, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure to ensure a smooth check-in and boarding process,” the airline wrote on X.

Multiple sources told ANI that a Pakistani Air Force jet has reportedly been shot down in the Pathankot sector by Indian air defence. More details awaited. Official government confirmation awaited.

“Blackout Starts from Nangal 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Requested to all to please cooperate,” wrote Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Bains on X.

Air India tweets, “In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding. Check-in closes 75 mins before departure.”

On Pakistan drones and missiles intercepted in different parts of our border states, former J&K DGP SP Vaid says, “Today evening after 8:20 pm, we have witnessed around 50-60 air attacks over Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Pathankot, Samba, and Akhnoor. All these attacks have been neutralised and made ineffective. Compliments to the impregnable air defence system… There is no report of any damage despite such a massive attack by Pakistan. It appears to be a full-fledged war by Pakistan and a befitting reply needs to be given by our three services. Pakistan’s days are numbered… Pakistan will soon be divided into five parts…”