Pakistan carried out a series of drone strikes across Punjab’s border districts
CHANDIGARH: Sector 18’s Tagore Theatre rang with patriotic zeal on Saturday as hundreds of young girls and boys responded to the appeal of Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav to join as Volunteer Civil Defence members. The air echoed with cries of Vande Mataram, Pakistan Murdabad, and Indian Army Zindabad, as the young men displayed strong resolve to dedicate themselves to the nation. Not a single young volunteer mentioned de-escalation — instead, many expressed a desire to be trained for combat and even to conduct strikes against the enemy, reflecting the rising nationalist sentiments engulfing the region. This surge of patriotism follows a dramatic escalation in the face-off along the India–Pakistan border. On Friday evening, Pakistan carried out a series of drone strikes across Punjab’s border districts, including Ferozepur, Fazilka, Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran. Indian air defence units neutralised the incoming drones as multiple explosions rocked these areas. Confirmed reports indicated that three family members in Khai Feme Ke village, near Ferozepur, were injured when rubble from a neutralised Pakistani drone struck their home, engulfing it in flames. The victims — Monu Singh (son of Lakhwinder Singh) and Sukhwinder Kaur (Lakhwinder’s wife) — were rushed to a private hospital. Local authorities said the woman, who had been preparing food at the time, suffered the most severe burns, though her husband and son were also injured. A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the village lies close to an army cantonment and that the attack, intended for the military complex, was diverted and instead hit the civilian area. Friday evening saw a dense drone barrage, reportedly involving red-hued swarm drones, targeting critical locations such as Srinagar airport and the Awantipora airfield in south Kashmir. Army sources confirmed drones were spotted at 26 strategic points across the nation — from Baramulla and Nagrota in the north to Bhuj in Gujarat — signalling a coordinated assault. Some drones carried explosives, while others were designed for reconnaissance. Security across the country has been tightened, with military personnel deployed to guard crucial installations, including vital bridges in Ferozepur city. Following the attacks, major blackouts were imposed in six border districts of Punjab and in Hoshiarpur. Electricity was switched off at 8 p.m. as sirens blared, warning residents to stay indoors and avoid venturing out. Power was restored only on Friday at 5:30 a.m. Simultaneously, the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, bordering Punjab, issued blackout advisories urging people to remain indoors and limit unnecessary nighttime movement. Adding to the disruptions, the Airports Authority extended the cancellation of all domestic and international flights from Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport through May 15. Chandigarh airport was also included in the extended flight ban. In Mohali, the government ordered shopping malls and cinema halls to close daily from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice. The Chandigarh administration also mandated the closure of all non-essential shops, restaurants, hotels, and malls from 7 p.m. on Friday, while essential services such as pharmacies remained operational. On Saturday morning, Chandigarh issued an air raid warning advising citizens to stay indoors, which was withdrawn an hour later once the alert had passed. The attacks are seen as Pakistan’s retaliation against India’s Operation Sindoor — a series of precision strikes launched on May 7 against terror camps along the border, in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan’s actions as “provocative and escalatory.” Indian officials accused Pakistani forces of deliberately targeting civilian zones, medical facilities, and schools in Kashmir, alongside military sites. Despite these grave developments, the Chandigarh youth who assembled on Saturday to enlist in Civil Defence displayed neither fear nor hesitation. Instead, they demanded training and active engagement, determined to be prepared for any eventuality. The administration, while acknowledging their patriotic fervour, emphasised discipline, adherence to the law, and organised civil defence over unchecked aggression. With national security at a crossroads, authorities are accelerating both military and civilian readiness. As the situation continues to evolve, the fervour on display at Chandigarh’s Sector 18 underscores that the spirit of service and sacrifice runs deep, and the days ahead will test not only India’s defences but also the resolve of its people.