Chandigarh: The situation in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab continues to remain tense on Friday with possibilities of further missile and drone strikes by Pakistan looming large. Air raid sirens blared in Chandigarh in the morning after a warning from the Indian Air Force of a ‘possible attack’.
A stand-down has now been declared, but residents have been asked to remain prepared. People have been asked to remain indoors as far as possible and stay away from balconies and windows with glass panes. Similar advisories have been issued in Mohali and Ambala as well.
“There is an alert in some areas of UT Chandigarh. We are advising Mohali residents in bordering sectors as well to remain indoors and away from windows and glass panes,” the Mohali administration said in an advisory.
Besides Chandigarh, Haryana’s Ambala administration also informed about air raid sirens going off and urged the residents to remain indoors.
“An Air warning has been received from Air force station of possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and away from balconies,” the Ambala administration said.
Amid the ongoing developments, the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office said that the state government is preparing to deal with the situation and informed that the ministers will review the emergency services in the border districts.
“Will inspect hospitals, fire stations, Will inspect the availability of ration and emergency services, Cabinet ministers will reach the border districts, immediately after the cabinet meeting, 10 ministers will leave for the border areas. Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchakk and Dr. Ravjot Singh will go to Gurdaspur. Ministers Kuldeep Dhaliwal and Mohinder Bhagat will take charge of Amritsar,” the Punjab CMO said.
The latest air raid warning in Chandigarh comes hours after Pakistan escalated the situation on the International Border and along the LoC and fired multiple drones and missiles in several areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Over 50 drones were intercepted by the Indian air defence system and shot down midair, officials said.
When Pakistan went on an unprovoked offensive last night, India retaliated and struck Islamabad, Lahore, and Sialkot.
Pakistan also violated the ceasefire and resorted to artillery shelling into village areas along the LoC last night. The Indian Army responded in a proportionate manner.
