Operation Sindoor LIVE: Drone attack on Srinagar airport foiled, blasts in J&K, Rajasthan, Punjab

Hours after the external affairs ministry briefing on Operation Sindoor today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chaired a high-level meeting with Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval and chiefs of all armed forces.

Meanwhile, PTI quoted Indian military officials to report that drones were sighted in Jammu, Samba and Pathankot this evening and are being engaged.

Pakistan launched multiple drones and missiles along the entire western border all through last night, with armed forces spokespersons saying at least 300-400 drones were launched at 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek.

Find earlier updates in yesterday's live blog

Today, given the spate of misinformation in mainstream and social media overnight, the ministry of defence put out an advisory to "[a]ll media channels, digital platforms and individuals... to refrain from live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations and movement of security forces".

Meanwhile, India's largest Opposition party, the Congress, is taking out Jai Hind Yatra processions nationwide in solidarity with our armed forces personnel.

See below for further updates through the day

Drone attacks on Srinagar airport and Awantipora air base were thwarted late on Friday, while blasts were heard in Jammu and parts of the south Kashmir region, PTI has quoted officials as saying.

The attack came a day after India thwarted attempts by the Pakistan military to hit Indian military installations using drones and missiles. The sky was lit up in Baramulla district as the Indian military shot down Pakistani drones.

With India abstaining from voting at the IMF (International Monetary Fund) meeting that discussed fresh loans to Pakistan, the Congress on Friday said that the Narendra Modi government "chickened out" and a "strong no" from the Centre would have sent a powerful signal.

Read more here

Sounds resembling that of blasts were heard in Punjab's Pathankot and Ferozepur this evening, prompting authorities to clamp a blackout there and several other districts amid a military standoff between India and Pakistan.

Air raid sirens wailed in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur districts. Officials said the blackout was enforced in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Muktsar and Sangrur.

In Pathankot, Ferozepur, locals claimed they heard explosions, while smiliar reports also came in from Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran's Patti area though there was no official confirmation about what caused the sound.

It was the second straight night of blackout and explosions for Pathankot residents. "Keep lights switched off. Keep the lights of mobile phones, cameras and inverter sets switched off. Cover windows with curtains. Cooperate with the district administration. We are for here your safety," and official announcement was sounded in the district.

In Hoshiarpur, the district administration enforced the blackout at 8.15 pm with deputy commissioner Ashika Jain urging people to stay indoors and not to panic.

After Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, Rajasthan too experienced blackouts in its bordering districts as explosions were also heard in Barmer city.

Thousands of people living near the Line of Control in three border districts of Kashmir have been evacuated following heavy shelling by Pakistani troops. The people living along the LoC in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts have been shifted to bunkers or other locations, officials said.

The evacuation started after Pakistan resorted to unprovoked shelling on civilian areas along the LoC in response to the missile strikes carried out by Indian armed forces targeting the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

One woman has been killed, while 18 others have been injured, in the cross-LoC shelling that began on 7 May. More than 100 houses, over two dozen commercial buildings, and a dozen government buildings have been damaged in the bombardment by Pakistan, officials said.

More than half of the evacuations have been carried out in the Kupwara district's Karnah and Machhil sectors, followed by Uri in Baramulla district, and some areas of Bandipora district.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to residents in and around Jammu to stay indoors. “It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together,” Abdullah posted on X.

In an earlier post, he wrote, "Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am."

The blackout was later extended across the Kashmir Valley, including its summer capital Srinagar, and sirens were heard at a few places, officials said.

The attacks in Jammu sent locals rushing to their homes in panic. Police have asked people to stay at home and switch off all lights.

Read more here

A woman was killed and two of her family members injured after Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling in areas near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Friday. They said the Indian Army has responded proportionately to the Pakistani aggression.

Officials said Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the LoC and resorted to heavy shelling in civilian areas in the Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district last night. Multiple areas of Uri, including Silikot, Boniyar, Kamalkote, Mohra and Gingle, were targeted with heavy shelling that damaged several structures and forced people to flee, they added.

Officials said three members of a family were injured when a shell hit their car near Mohra as they were trying to move to safety. They were rushed to a hospital where a woman, identified as Nargis Begum, succumbed to her injuries, the officials said.

Later on Friday, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Gouhalan and Chotali, Tourna Post of the Uri sector, the officials said. However, there are no reports of any casualties so far in these areas.

Speaking at the MEA briefing today, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said, "During heavy shelling across the Line of Control in the early morning of 7 May, a shell fired from Pakistan landed just behind the Christ School run by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, a congregation in Poonch. Tragically, the shell hit the home of two students of the Christ School, and both students, unfortunately, lost their lives, and their parents were severely injured.

"Another Pakistani shell struck a Christian convent of nuns belonging to the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel... Several priests, nuns, school staff, and local residents took refuge in an underground hall beneath the school... The school was fortunately closed, otherwise more losses would have occurred. Pakistan is targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design, including gurdwaras, convents, and temples. This is a new low even for Pakistan."

Read more here

Briefing the media in Delhi today, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force said, "Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7th May at 08:30 hours in the evening. Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response.

"This is not safe for the unsuspecting civil airliners including the international flights which were flying near IB (International Border) between India and Pakistan. The screenshot we just showed... shows the data of the application flight radar 24 during a high air defence alert situation in the Punjab sector. As you have seen, the airspace on the Indian side is absolutely devoid of civil air traffic due to our declared closure. However, there are civil airlines flying the air route between Karachi and Lahore."

The Telangana government on Friday announced the establishment of a 24x7 control room at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi to provide timely assistance, information, and support to residents of the state currently living in border areas, an official release said. The facility will operate around the clock to ensure uninterrupted support, it said. The control room can be reached via landline at (011) 2338 0556.

The Gujarat government today imposed a ban on the use of drones and firecrackers until 15 May in light of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.

The government also warned of taking strict action against those social media users who "spread anti-national sentiments" or seek to demoralise the armed forces.

"No firecrackers or drones will be allowed in any functions or events until the 15th of this month. Kindly cooperate and follow the guidelines," Gujarat minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi said in a post on X.

Earlier in the day, Sanghavi chaired a meeting with state police officials through video conference in Gandhinagar.

The meeting was attended by state director-general of police Vikas Sahay, Intelligence Bureau officials, police commissioners, range inspectors- general, district superintendents of police and cyber crime officials, an official release said.

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the launch of Operation Sindoor by the Indian armed forces, the country's principal Opposition party, the Congress, on Friday organised nationwide rallies under the banner of the ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ to promote unity and express solidarity with India's defence forces.

Read more here

At an MEA (ministry of external affairs) briefing in New Delhi today, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistan was using civil airlines as a shield, and that it had attempted drone incursions in 36 locations last night. “A swarm of 300-400 drones targeted Indian locations from Leh to Sir Creek. Pakistan also attacked a gurdwara leading to casualties on the Indian side,” Misri said.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army were also present at the briefing. The Indian Army also said “Pakistan sent 300-400 drones in 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek last night to target our military installations”.

Misri also said "Pakistan's farcical denial of its attempts to target installations in India is another example of its duplicity".

Punjab Roadways has suspended its bus service from Hoshiarpur to Jammu for the day owing to the military conflict between India and Pakistan, an official said on Friday.

Jasvir Kotla, general manager of Punjab Roadways, Hoshiarpur, said none of the depot's buses were sent to Jammu on Friday as a precautionary step in light of the prevailing situation.

"In view of the current tense atmosphere resembling war-like conditions between India and Pakistan, no Punjab Roadways buses from Hoshiarpur have gone to Jammu today. The service has been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure," Kotla said. He added that buses are currently operating only up to Pathankot.

This restriction applies to buses from Hoshiarpur as well as those from other depots that usually run services to Jammu. The Hoshiarpur depot has three regular routes to Jammu, all of which have been suspended for now.

The Mohali district administration on 9 May ordered the closure of cinema halls and shopping malls from sunset to sunrise (8.00 pm-6.00 am) with immediate effect until further orders, officials said. A ban has also been imposed on the use of inverters, generators and any other power backups being used for outdoor lights, billboards, and street lights.

"In view of the prevailing circumstances and intelligence inputs indicating a potential air strike threat, complete blackout may be required to safeguard public safety and strategic interests," said an order issued by Mohali deputy commissioner Komal Mittal.

After state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), now Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) have issued separate statements to assure consumers of enough stock availability and smooth operations.

BPCL said sufficient petrol, diesel, CNG, and LPG are available across its vast nationwide network.

"There is no cause for concern or panic buying. Our supply chain operations remain robust and efficient, ensuring uninterrupted supplies," it said, reiterating its commitment to energy accessibility and reliability," it said.

HPCL also said sufficient fuel and LPG stocks were available across the country.

"Our supply chain is operating seamlessly," it said. "Fuel and LPG are readily available at all HPCL outlets. Let's stay calm and avoid unnecessary rush."

Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Verma says more air raid sirens are being installed across the national capital.

"From Friday night, 40 to 50 sirens will be installed atop multistorey and high-rise buildings. There will be one command centre for controlling them and they will be rung for five minutes. We will be able to use them in situations of a blackout. These sirens will be under the control of NDMA. We will cover entire Delhi," he said.

Should the sirens sound, people should take shelter under tables or down in their basements.

Verma also appealed to the general public to remain calm and not panic during the testing exercises.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar has had a phone conversation with his British counterpart David Lammy and conveyed to him that there must be "zero-tolerance" to terrorism.

"Our discussions centered around countering terrorism, for which there must be zero-tolerance," the external affairs minister said in a social media post.

The British foreign secretary had on Wednesday, 7 May, said the current tensions between India and Pakistan are a serious concern.

"The UK government is urging India and Pakistan to show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward," he said.

"The UK was clear in its condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month. We need all sides to work urgently to see regional stability restored and ensure protection of civilians," he had added.

World Bank president Ajay Banga has said that the multilateral agency has no role to play beyond that of a facilitator in the Indus Water Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 for sharing the waters of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers.

"There’s a lot of speculation in the media about how the World Bank will step in and fix the problem [of India suspending the treaty], but it’s all bunk [sic]," India's Press Information Bureau quoted him as saying. 

The North Western Railways has cancelled four trains and rescheduled five, given blackout and emergency conditions near the border.

Some of those go to and from Munabao, a village close to the international border in Rajasthan.

The cancelled trains are:

• 14895 Jodhpur-Barmer Demu Express (Jodhpur’s Bhagat Ki Kothi to Barmer)

• 14896 Barmer-Jodhpur Demu Express (Barmer to Bhagat Ki Kothi)

• 04880 Munabao to Barmer

• 54881 Barmer to Munabao

Train number 12468 Jaipur-Jaisalmer was partially cancelled in Bikaner.

Jaisalmer-Jaipur 12467 was also partially cancelled on the Jaisalmer–Bikaner route and will operate from Bikaner today.

Among the trains which were rescheduled due to blackouts on Thursday night are:

• 14661 Barmer–Jammu Tawi

• 74840 Barmer–Bhagat Ki Kothi

• 15013 Jaisalmer–Kathgodam (Haldwani)

• 14807 Jodhpur–Dadar Express

• 14864 Jodhpur–Varanasi Express

As a safeguard against possible air strikes, blackouts were enforced in Barmer and Jaisalmer owing to the presence of critical infrastructure there. A blackout was also enforced in Jodhpur.

The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister visited camps sheltering citizens of border areas affected by shelling in Jammu, and said, "Spoke to families, heard their concerns. Assured them that we stand firmly with them in these difficult times. Directed officials to ensure all necessary facilities are provided without delay."

The CM was also seen talking to some young children, and played a spot of cricket with one of them.

His first stop, however, was the GMC to look in on the injured.

Samba, which has been hit with overnight assaults, got a look-in as well.

The district administration in Haryana's Ambala — which is a key air force base — has issued a complete overnight blackout order.

This was to "to safeguard public safety and strategic interests" both, the order explained.

Use of inverters, generators, and any power backup for outdoor lights, billboards, streetlights, etc., is included in the ban, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m..

However, the order said indoor lighting could be used — "on condition that all doors and windows are fully covered by thick curtains, so as to ensure no lights come out".

Any violation is to be punished as under Section 223 of the BNSS, it added.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has urged resolving their matters through dialogue and diplomatic means, asserting that war is not a solution.

The board has also said it will continue with its Save Waqf campaign, but in light of the current situation, its public meetings and events are being postponed for the next one week, until 16 May.

"[the AIMPLB] supports every necessary step taken for the defence and protection of the nation and its people and emphasises that in these critical times, the public, political parties, armed forces, and the government must come together to face these threats," it said in a statement, adding that there is absolutely no place for terrorism in Islamic teachings, globally recognised principles or human values in general.

"It is also a fact that war is not a solution to any issue — especially in the presence of nuclear weapons, India and Pakistan cannot afford a war," it added.

Such a conflict could plunge the people of both countries into insurmountable difficulties and suffering, it added, urging dialogue and diplomacy instead.

The directorate of civil defence in Delhi will be testing air raid sirens installed at the PWD HQ, ITO. The testing was to commence at 3:00 p.m. and will continue for a period of 15-20 minutes, said a press release from the Government of Delhi.

"Past incidents like the Kargil War, 26/11 attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking underscore the risks of premature reporting," says the ministry of defence in an advisory to "All media channels, digital platforms and individuals... to refrain from live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations and movement of security forces".

"Disclosure of such sensitive or source-based information may jeopardise operational effectiveness and endanger lives," the advisory says, and reminded the media that by law, during anti-terror operations, "only periodic briefings by designated officials are permitted".

After the Telangana Congress yesterday, led by CM Revanth Reddy, took out a citizens' march in solidarity with our armed forces engaged in Operation Sindoor, the Jai Hind Yatra is flying the tricolour high in the streets across Indian cities and states.

Delhi, Assam, Manipur, Karnataka, Odisha are already seeing contingents out in the streets.

In Karnataka, chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar were seen leading the procession.

In Assam, where the procession will set out at 4 p.m., Pradesh Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah said, "The last 4 days, all the branches of our military—Army, Navy and Air Force—have demonstrated exemplary courage and professionalism."

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted: "History bears witness... (that) whenever someone has challenged the self-respect and self-esteem of India, we have given them a befitting reply."

Noting that "Once again we have been challenged, our tolerance and patience have been tested", he expressed pride in the armed forces before signing off with the slogan "Jai Hind ki Sena (Victory to the Indian troops)".

On Rabindra Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Trinamool MP Sagarika Ghose posts a couplet that has particular resonance in these times we are living in.

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre not to enforce the release of women Army officers from Short Service Commission at this time.

The bench of justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh posted the batch of pleas they are hearing from 69 officers for hearing in August and said they should not be released until then.

"In the prevailing situation let’s not bring their morale down. They are brilliant officers, you can use their services somewhere else," Justice Kant urged the government of India.

"This is not the time that they be asked to roam around in the Supreme Court. They have a better place to be and serve the country," he continued.

Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, had pleaded it was an administrative decision based on a policy to keep the armed forces young.

She urged the top court not to grant a stay on their release, since — she said — the Indian Army needs young officers and only 250 permanent commissions can be granted a year.

On the other side, senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy, appearing for Colonel Geeta Sharma, referred to the case of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi — she too had had to approach the top court to get a permanent commission.

Read the full story here

The ongoing IPL 2025 has been suspended indefinitely by the BCCI, per a directive from the Indian government due to the ongoing conflict.

The day's match between the Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Lucknow naturally stands cancelled.

This is only the second time the sporting mega event has had to paused midway through a tournament, the first instance being that of 2021, when it was cancelled in the second phase of the Covid pandemic lockdown.

Indian Oil has put out an advisory noting that there are "ample fuel stocks across the country and our supply lines are operating smoothly".

"There is no need for panic buying — fuel and LPG is readily available at all our outlets," Indian Oil added, urging customers to stay calm and avoid unnecessary rush, which in turn will "keep supply lines running seamlessly and ensure uninterrupted fuel access for all".

The gangster movie from veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam is still slated for release in theatres on 7 June, but the audio launch planned for 16 May is being rescheduled given the "current state of heightened alert".

"Art can wait. India comes first. In view of the developments at our nation's border and the current state of heightened alert, we have decided to reschedule the audio launch of 'Thug Life', originally planned for the 16th of May," Haasan said, adding:

He called upon India's citizens to make it their duty to respond with "restraint and solidarity" at this time.

"Celebration must make way for reflection," he added.

The railways ministry has announced three special trains from Jammu to help those looking to leave the border region:

• the 04612 departed earlier at 10:45 a.m. with 12 reserved and 12 unreserved coaches

• a 20-coach Vande Bharat special leaving at 12:45 p.m. via Jammu and Pathankot

• and a 22-coach fully reserved LHB special leaving Jammu at 19:00.

These three trains will ferry passengers to Udhampur's Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Station.

PTI reports that Pakistan has claimed its economic affairs ministry's X handle was hacked after it posted what seemed to be an appeal for financial support from "International Partners".

The odd capitalisation and the misspelling of "inflected" in the post led some to doubt the veracity of the post, in addition to its unguarded nature at surely a time of some concern.

Pakistan's ministry of information and broadcasting apparently issued a 'fake tweet alert', saying the account was "hacked".

An official was cited as saying “work was going to switch off the account”.

The hacking involved a fake appeal by the economic affairs division of the ministry calling for more loans and urging the international community to help defuse tensions with India — which have caused the stock market in Pakistan to tumble.

“Govt of Pakistan appeals to International Partners for more loans after heavy losses ‘inflected’ by enemy. Amid escalating war and stocks crash, we urge international partners to help de-escalate. Nation urged to remain steadfast,” the post on the account said.

Also odd was that the post tagged @WorldBank — even as Pakistan is waiting to hear from the IMF on new funding — and an #IndiaPakistanWar tag.

After their match yesterday evening was called off in the midst of LoC violations and a red alert in nearby Jammu, the BCCI is arranging a special train to bring away players.

Dharamsala airport was one of the north-western airports closed two days ago as a precautionary measure.

Security had already been beefed up in key parts of Delhi — especially tourist spots and entry/exit points yesterdays, but now heavier security has been deployed at vital installations, including government buildings after the Pak's repeated ceasefire violations along the LoC.

A senior police officer said all vital installations, including government buildings, sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants, courts and foreign embassies are being safeguarded by additional forces, including paramilitary personnel.

The police have also strengthened vigil in areas with high footfalls, including markets, railway stations, malls, parks and Metro stations.

In an update on the intervening night of 8–9 May, the ministry of information and broadcasting noted that Pakistan had launched multiple drone and munitions attacks along the entire western border, and in particular, several ceasefire violations along the Jammu and Kashmir LoC.

The drone attacks were repulsed, the ministry said, and a "befitting reply" given to the LoC ceasefire violations.

"India remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force," it said.

The Bathinda administration has urged the public, including media personnel, to stay at least 100 meters away from unidentified objects or fragments.

A joint team of armed forces and state officials is conducting area visits, and the administration has warned against spreading rumours, with legal action promised for violators, according to Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray.

Congress leader Pawan Khera, speaking on India-Pakistan tensions, condemned Pakistan for continuing its aggressive actions and targeting civilian areas. He emphasised that India’s security capabilities and credibility are stronger, highlighting the need for global attention to Pakistan's actions.

Panchkula DC Monika Gupta has urged residents to stay indoors and step out only if necessary, assuring that the district remains safe with no reported damage. She called for public cooperation and announced the closure of all educational institutions till Saturday as a precautionary measure.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold a high-level meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to assess the security situation amid heightened tensions with Pakistan. Strategic and operational preparedness is expected to be reviewed during the discussions.

Cricket Australia on Friday, 9 May said it is closely watching the situation between India and Pakistan as over 20 Australian players and coaches are involved in the IPL and PSL.

The IPL saw disruptions after air raid alerts led to the Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings match being abandoned in Dharamsala. Meanwhile, the PCB has shifted the remaining PSL matches to the UAE over security concerns.

Enhanced security protocols have been implemented at airports nationwide amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, with secondary ladder point checks now mandatory and visitor entry at terminals banned, according to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

Delhi Airport remains operational, though some flight schedules may be affected due to evolving airspace conditions. Airlines have urged passengers to arrive three hours early for domestic departures due to intensified checks.

Passengers are also advised to adhere to baggage rules and cooperate with staff. Around 27 airports remain closed following Operation Sindoor, launched in response to last month’s Pahalgam terror attack.

To read more on airports being closed till 10 May, click here.

Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions, the Kerala government has opened 24/7 control rooms at the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram to support Keralites in border states.

The helpline numbers are 0471-2517500 and 0471-2517600, fax: 0471-2322600, and email: cdmdkerala@kerala.gov.in.

The NORKA Global Contact Centre is also offering support via toll-free number 1800 425 3939 and missed call number 0091 1880 2012345.

Several districts in Punjab faced a tense night on Thursday, 8 May as power was cut following India’s swift interception of Pakistani drone and missile threats targeting military installations. Residents remained on edge amid the blackout and heightened border tensions.

The air warning issued earlier by the Air Force station has now been lifted. Sirens that had been sounded across the city have ceased, and authorities have confirmed there is no longer any threat. The Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh has stated that residents can now resume normal activities but should remain alert and follow official updates.

Stock markets opened lower on Friday, 9 May amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. The BSE Sensex fell by 424.65 points to 79,910.16, while the NSE Nifty dropped 144.75 points to 24,129.05, extending losses from the previous session.

A woman lost her life and four others were injured as Pakistan escalated shelling across the Line of Control on Thursday night. The woman was killed instantly when a shell hit the vehicle she was travelling in, injuring three of her family members. Another civilian was hurt in Thajal village of Uri. Several homes were also damaged in the attack.

An air warning has been issued by the Air Force station, indicating a possible attack. Sirens are being sounded across the city. Authorities have advised all residents to stay indoors and avoid balconies or open areas, said the Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh.

Amid heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border, several areas in Gujarat’s Kutch and Banaskantha districts experienced a total blackout from 10 pm Thursday to 5.30 am Friday. The power outage followed the discovery of wreckage resembling a drone near Khavda village in Kutch, close to the international border.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will join ex-servicemen, ministers, students, and citizens in a rally tomorrow (10 May, 2025) at 5 PM — from the DGP office to the War Memorial. The march is a show of unity and support for the Indian Army's efforts in defending the nation, a statement from his office said.

The Leh administration today announced that all schools in the district will remain closed on 9 and 10 May in view of the prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, according to officials.

India last night neutralised Pakistan military's attempt to hit military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and some other locations with missiles and drones as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider military conflict.

"All government and private schools in Leh district shall remain closed for the next two days," Leh deputy commissioner Santosh Sukhdeva said.

This step has been taken in view of the prevailing situation, he said. All are requested to remain vigilant and contact 112 in case of any emergency, the DC said.

The government early today dismissed claims of a suicide attack on an Army brigade in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri and a drone attack in Punjab's Jalandhar by certain social media handles as "fake news".

The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check Unit found that there was no fidayeen or suicide attack on any Army cantonment in Jammu and Kashmir, while the video claiming to be that of a drone attack in Jalandhar pertained to a farm fire.

It also found that an old video shared on social media claiming to be of Pakistan's missile attack on India was actually of an explosive attack that took place in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2020.

"A barrage of coordinated disinformation has been carried out by certain social media handles in general and mainstream media in particular in Pakistan with the sole objective to instill fear among the Indian masses," a PIB statement said.

The PIB Fact Check Unit also said a video of an explosion on an oil tanker dating back to 7 July 2021 was passed off as an attack on the Hazira Port in Gujarat.

The claims on social media about attacks on certain Indian targets peaked as India on Thursday thwarted Pakistan's attempts to target its military sites, including in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, Uttarlai and Bhuj, with drones and missiles as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider military conflict.

On its X handle, the Indian Army posted a brief clip of a drone being intercepted and wrote, ”Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs.”

 Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah left for Jammu early this morning to take stock of the situation following last night's failed drone attack by Pakistan.

India last night neutralised Pakistan military's attempt to hit military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and some other locations with missiles and drones as tensions soared between the two countries amid fears of a wider military conflict.

"Driving to Jammu now to take stock of the situation after last night's failed Pakistani drone attack directed at Jammu city & other parts of the division," Abdullah said in a post on X.

He also said the government will review the decision to shut schools on Monday. The situation at the time will determine if the closure is extended and, if so, for how long, the chief minister said.

Jammu and Kashmir education minister Sakina Itoo yesterday ordered the closure of schools for the next two days in view of the prevailing situation. Sirens and numerous explosions were reported in Akhnoor, Samba, Baramulla and Kupwara and several other places on Thursday night.

Appearing in a television interview yesterday, US vice-president J.D. Vance said the United States will not intervene in the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, and repeated his comments about a de-escalation of the standoff.

“We’re not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business,” Vance said. “We can’t control these countries. Fundamentally, India has its gripes with Pakistan. Pakistan has responded to India. What we can do is try to encourage these folks to de-escalate a little bit.”

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump said he was 'friends' with both India and Pakistan and wanted the 'war' to stop. “Good relationships with both and I want to see it stop. And If I can do anything to help, I will be there,” were his exact words.

Also read: Pahalgam attack: Why India can’t count on the US in this conflict

Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat yesterday took precautionary measures, including increased patrolling at the borders, preparing evacuation plans, and cancelling leave of all police personnel.

In Punjab, which shares a 553-km border with Pakistan, seven police districts were asked to maintain strict vigil along the border. Border villages are on high alert, and evacuation plans are in place in case of an emergency. Mock drills have been conducted in several areas.

Punjab Police and the state's health department have cancelled the leave of all its personnel until further notice and asked those on leave to report back to work.