Blackout across Jammu and Kashmir as India-Pakistan tensions flare
Explosions trigger sirens, panic, and evacuations as authorities cut power and shut schools across Indian-administered region
SRINAGAR, Kashmir (MNTV) — A sweeping blackout engulfed Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir late Thursday night after explosions and suspected drone activity triggered panic across the region, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan.
Loud blasts were reported in Jammu city, followed by air raid sirens and red flashes lighting up the night sky for over two hours.
Residents described the experience as terrifying, with sirens echoing across Jammu and several villages near the Line of Control (LoC), prompting people to rush home in fear.
Such escalation has not been seen in more than two decades—since the Kargil War.
The Indian army claimed that military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur were targeted by drones and missiles allegedly launched from Pakistan.
Pakistan, however, denied any involvement. “Pakistan has not targeted any locations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, or across the international border,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Thursday night.
In response to the drone threat, authorities enforced a blackout across the Kashmir Valley late Thursday.
Electricity was restored in Srinagar later that night, but many other parts of the Valley remained without power until Friday morning.
“It was unsettling,” said Yusuf, a university student in Srinagar.
“We rely on electricity for everything, and suddenly everything stopped, our phones, internet, even basic lights.”
“It felt like being cut off from the world,” added Maria, a resident of downtown Srinagar.
“We had no idea what was happening or when the power would come back.”
Indian Officials said more than 60,000 civilians were relocated from border areas to safer locations.
While some found refuge with relatives in other districts, many were moved to government-designated shelters.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration also ordered the closure of all schools across the Union Territory on Friday and Saturday.
“Monday is anyway a holiday. We will review the decision on Monday afternoon,” the Chief Minister’s office announced on X, formerly Twitter.
The blackout came amid an intensifying military standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Since India launched “Operation Sindoor” following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, both sides have engaged in cross-border strikes, triggering fears of a wider confrontation along the volatile frontier.
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