Panchkula district in Haryana will observe a precautionary blackout starting at 7 pm on Friday, according to Deputy Commissioner Monika Gupta. The district has been placed on high alert as part of emergency preparedness measures amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the launch of Operation Sindoor.
Gupta clarified that there is no curfew in place and reassured residents that the district remains completely safe. She urged the public to stay alert, follow safety protocols, and rely solely on verified information shared through the district administration’s official social media channels or designated civil society WhatsApp groups, which include ward councillors, sarpanches, and other community leaders.
During a meeting with officials at the district secretariat, Gupta noted that a similar blackout was successfully observed on Thursday night after a sudden alert was issued. She stated that residents should be prepared for another alert tonight and asked them to voluntarily participate in the blackout and remain indoors. All interior and exterior lights should be turned off, and people should avoid stepping out unless absolutely necessary.
As part of these precautionary measures, solar street lights will remain off until the situation stabilizes. Sensitive zones in the district have been mapped out, and emergency response teams from the health and fire departments are on standby.
Market lights to be switched off amid high alert
Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Monika Gupta has urged market associations to turn off all display board lights and ensure that both external and internal lighting in commercial establishments remains off on Friday night.
Shop owners have been asked to close their shops by 7 pm and participate in the blackout. Residents who have CCTV’s installed are required to switch off their systems for increased effectiveness during the blackout. Lighting in public spaces and garages should also remain off.
In addition, all government offices and headquarters are directed to see to it that no lights are on at night, with department heads being tasked with enforcing this directive.
The administration has requested the public to cooperate fully and be calm as these safety measures are implemented.
The increased security measures align with the wider counter-terror mission Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Although the details of the operation are not revealed for reasons of national security, it reflects a firm posture of readiness on the part of the government. The pre-emptive blackout in Panchkula is one of several pre-emptive measures being initiated to lower visibility and curb possible threats.