(Image source from: Onmanorama.com)
Firing resumed along the Line of Control (LoC) just hours after India successfully countered a significant series of missile and drone strikes from Pakistan aimed at military bases and various cities. In response, India executed an effective counteraction to the Pakistani aggression. Alarm sirens were activated in Chandigarh following an alert from the Air Force Station, warning residents of a possible aerial assault from Pakistan. Local authorities have urged citizens to shelter indoors and refrain from using balconies. Indian stock markets opened down this morning amid rising tensions. The Sensex fell by 1,300 points during pre-market trading, although it later recovered and opened with a decrease of just 500 points. Meanwhile, the Nifty index, which had plunged below 24,000, managed to bounce back to that level.
Pakistani forces resumed their firing across the LoC, affecting areas like Kupwara and Uri early this morning, but the Indian Army responded robustly. Tragically, in the shelling from Pakistan yesterday, 16 civilians, including three women and five children, lost their lives. A blackout was imposed throughout the night in Jammu, Srinagar, and various other cities, while in Punjab, the blackout lasted until 5 AM. In Rajasthan, cities such as Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Barmer also experienced a blackout. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir stated he is en route to Jammu to assess the situation following what he described as Pakistan's "failed drone attack" aimed at Jammu and other areas in the division. India successfully thwarted a second wave of Pakistan's air assaults on military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, and additional cities across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab, intercepting all missiles and drones.
In light of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian aviation authorities closed 24 airports yesterday, including those in Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Shimla, Jodhpur, Jammu, and Pathankot. Punjab announced the closure of all schools in its six border districts. In Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, schools will remain shut until Saturday. Additionally, several districts in Rajasthan have also suspended classes in schools and colleges. This morning, two schools in Delhi, DPS RK Puram and DPS Mathura Road, announced they would also be closed. US Vice President JD Vance has urged both nations to seek de-escalation, while reiterating that the conflict isn’t America’s concern. “We are not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it,” he remarked.
Due to precautionary measures, the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the Dharamshala stadium was postponed, as confirmed by IPL chairman Arun Dhumal. The Indian cricket board has arranged a special Vande Bharat train to facilitate the players’ travel to Delhi.
