The Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar has been suspended for visitors, till further orders, a Border Security Force (BSF) official said. The development comes after the Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on early Wednesday. It is learnt that the ceremonious drill was suspended due to drop in number of visitors.
The official said these measures had been taken keeping in view the security of visitors. “The customary flag-lowering ritual has to be executed, which is done by the BSF, but no public is permitted to watch the event. There will be no ceremonial show,” he said.
The notice “Parade is closed” in English and Hindi languages has been pasted on the passage leading to the spectators’ gallery.
The military strikes were conducted under “Operation Sindoor”, two weeks after the terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.
Following the attack, the BSF had “scaled down” the event with “close gates at the zero line, suspension of the symbolic gesture of “handshake” between Indian guard commander and his counterpart from the Pakistan side.
Meanwhile, some outstation tourists reached the border to attend the ceremony, but were supportive when denied access. A group of tourists from Gujarat said they had no regrets for not being allowed to watch the flag lowering ceremony. Tourists said they had come to cheer up soldiers. Nikhil Aujha said India had given a befitting reply to the Pahalgam terror attack.
“There is no reason to show resentment over not being allowed to watch the flag lowering ceremony,” he said. Echoing same views, another tourist GB Patel said, “We are proud of our soldiers. We are ambassadors for peace and love, but that does not imply that we should not retort to the nefarious designs of our enemies,” he said.
Adhiram Chauhan from Madhya Pradesh said, “We have come for the first time here. We no grudge over not being able to watch the retreat ceremony. All decisions are taken keeping in view our security.”
Earlier in 2021, the surge in Covid-19 cases had compelled the BSF to suspend visitors’ access to the spectators’ gallery.
High alert in Punjab’s six border districts, schools shut
Public gatherings put off, leave of govt officials cancelled
All schools in six border districts of Punjab — Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran — have been shut until further orders. The state, which shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, also saw the cancellation of all public gatherings in border areas.
Along with Punjab, the border states of Rajasthan and Gujarat and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir were placed on high alert following intense retaliatory shelling from across the border in several areas.
Late on Thursday night, blackouts were reported in Gurdaspur and Pathankot, where Pakistani drones attempted to infiltrate. Sirens blared across Jammu as Pakistan launched heavy shelling in the region.
AdvertisementThe entire air defence grid along the western frontier, stretching down to Gujarat, was activated in response. Earlier, authorities cancelled public events, shut educational institutions and revoked leave for government employees, directing them to remain at their headquarters. The BSF intensified surveillance along sensitive zones.
In Rajasthan, schools, anganwadis and coaching centres were shut until further notice, while airports in Kishangarh and Jodhpur were ordered to remain closed until May 10. The BSF heightened patrolling and air defence units were placed on high alert in the border districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar. Examinations in these areas were postponed and hospitals were instructed to stock up on blood and emergency medicines. District officials were directed to curb fake news and secure sensitive locations.
Read MoreGujarat reinforced security measures, placing railway stations on high alert. Civilian flights from Bhuj and Rajkot airports were suspended for three days, with both facilities now reserved for military operations following a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued on May 7. Security forces increased patrolling in coastal and border regions, particularly in Jamnagar. Teams from the Special Operations Group (SOG), Marine Police and Task Force commandos conducted security checks along sensitive stretches, including Halar beach near the Pakistan border.
At Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, flight cancellations and delays caused chaos due to airspace restrictions and ongoing military drills. Railway stations also saw heightened security, with the RPF, GRP and Quick Reaction Teams conducting joint sweeps, intensified baggage screening and anti-sabotage drills. Flag marches were held to ensure public safety.
After blasts, missile debris sparks panic in Punjab border villages
Police, Army and IAF officials arrive at the scene, secure the parts
Panic gripped residents in the border districts of Punjab on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday after loud explosions and sudden blackouts rocked the area.
On Thursday, missile debris was found in agricultural fields across three villages, Jethuwal, Makhanwindi and Pandher, with some fragments even scattered inside homes in Jethuwal. No casualties or property damage were reported.Officials of the police, Army and Indian Air Force arrived at the scene and secured the debris.
The Ministry of Defence stated that Pakistan had attempted to target multiple military installations in northern and western India, but the attacks were thwarted by India’s air defence systems. A police official confirmed that the recovered debris belonged to missiles launched by Pakistan.
In Makhanwindi village, authorities urged locals to stay at least 500 metres away from the debris as a precaution against potential live explosives.
Sukhchain Singh, a resident of Jethuwal, recounted hearing a massive explosion around 1.15 am, which jolted villagers awake. “We rushed outside and saw bright lights in the sky, followed by another blast,” he said. By morning, they discovered missile fragments in their fields and alerted the police.
Surjit Singh from Makhanwindi said the developments had caused widespread panic in the area, with many residents unable to sleep due to the blasts. He appealed to both governments to exercise restraint.
Harchand Singh, SHO of Jandiala Guru police station, said they received reports of missile debris near the Amritsar-Batala road and immediately notified higher authorities as well as the Army and Air Force.
Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, who visited the site, urged the residents to stay calm. “The Army and police are investigating the origin of these missile parts. It is regrettable that Pakistan targeted civilian areas, whereas India’s actions were focused on terrorist camps within their territory,” he said.
India foils missile, drone attacks in North; neutralises air defence system in Lahore
Islamabad provokes with attempted strikes on 15 military targets in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, J&K
India thwarted Pakistan’s attempts to hit various locations along western border, including Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, with drones and missiles on Thursday night. This came hours after India neutralised an air defence system in Lahore in retaliation to Pakistan’s unsuccessful attacks on 15 military locations across Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir.
Also, a Pakistan air force pilot was captured by Indian security forces after he ejected from his jet over Jaisalmer.
Eight missiles fired at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia in the Jammu region were intercepted ay air defence units, defence sources said, even as a complete blackout was enforced in Jammu.
“Military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in close proximity of the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir were targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian armed forces as per standard operating procedures with kinetic and non-kinetic means,” the Ministry of Defence said.
There have also been reports of drones being used to attack Jammu, one of which is said to have hit the local airport. The airport, like several others in western India, had been shut since yesterday till further orders, said officials.
Sources said the scene over Jammu was reminiscent of Hamas-style attacks on Israel and the assessment was that the Pakistani establishment was using multiple cheap rockets to carry out attacks. Two other drones were shot down near the Jammu University.
The Army has confirmed drone attacks at several places along the western borders, including Punjab and Rajasthan, and these were being engaged effectively by the armed forces. Sources also claimed that last month operatives of Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and Hamas, a militant organisation based in West Asia, had met in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The residents of Jammu reported hearing the sounds of multiple explosions, specifically near the Jammu airport and Sunjuwan camp. It was around 8.15 pm when the first wave of drones and missiles were detected, creating panic among residents.
Eyewitnesses said that red streaks were seen at many points in the sky. The power supply was snapped to the entire region and sirens were activated.
Multiple drone attacks rocked Jalandhar city a little after 8 pm. As per reports, the UAVs were targeted at Army’s ammunition dumps at Suranussi and near the Mand police post. Sources said all UAVs were neutralised by activating the air defence system. Three loud explosions were heard. Just as the explosions at Mand ended, attacks resumed at Suranussi again around 10 pm. Attacks at both the sites were confirmed by senior police officials.
In Pathankot, there were reports of a drone attack on the airbase, which is less than 25 km from the International Border, and another at the Shahpur Kandi dam, about 4 km from the city. So far, there are no reports of any damage from the drone attacks.
Local Army and police officials were tightlipped about the impact of the attacks. A blackout was enforced in Punjab’s Pathankot and Amritsar districts.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said attempts by Pakistan to attack 15 sites were neutralised mid-air by the ‘Integrated Grid’, which comprises counter-UAV and S-400 air defence systems. The attempts by Pakistan came after the Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in PoK and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
The MoD said Pakistan attempted to engage military targets using drones and missiles in northern and western parts of the country, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai and Bhuj. All these sites have important Army and Air Force installations, including fighter jet and UAV bases, air defence units, tank formations and transport planes. Also, Jalandhar is the headquarters of the Army’s XI Corps while the Army’s Western Command is based at Chandimandir, less than 2 km from Chandigarh.
The ministry also said Pakistan had increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) using mortars and heavy-calibre artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. “Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military,” the MoD said.
In Islamabad, an agency quoted a Pakistan army official as saying that drones were neutralised in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Miano, Karachi, Chhor and Attock.
Saying the action against Pakistan was overdue, BJP leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday warned Pakistan against any escalation in the situation. Talking to The Tribune, the former CM complimented the defence forces for precision strikes…
Saying the action against Pakistan was overdue, BJP leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday warned Pakistan against any escalation in the situation.
Talking to The Tribune, the former CM complimented the defence forces for precision strikes on terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
“The action was overdue as Pakistan had not been desisting from exporting terror into our country, like killing 26 innocent tourists in Pahalgam,” he said.
The most important aspect of the action of the Indian forces was how precise it was in hitting its targets without any civilian or military casualties. “Our target was the terrorist training camps and we have hit them hard and that is it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the whole country was united in this fight against terrorism. “We are proud of our brave soldiers. A total of 140 crore citizens are standing with the Indian forces,” he said.
The Leader of the Oposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa condemned Pakistan’s vile aggression along the Line of Control and the cowardly Pahalgam attack.
“Punjab, India’s defiant frontier, stands as our nation’s iron heart. From the crucible of 1947-48 to the victories of 1965, 1971, and Kargil, Punjabis have bled for India’s honour, their valour unmatched. They fortify our forces with unyielding courage. Pakistan should end its treachery. Bound by Punjab’s fearless spirit, our brave soldiers will fight, triumph and defend our sacred land to the last,” he said.
Punjab BJP president, Sunil Jakhar said Indian forces had once again demonstrated their valour by launching a strong attack on terrorism, destroying ultras’ hideouts and proving that we would not tolerate terrorism and oppression.
“The entire nation stands like a rock with our armed forces. Farmer leaders and others need to postpone their protests and demonstrations for now, as this is a time to confront the enemy,” he said.
India-Pakistan Tensions: Amritsar’s Golden Temple Joins MHA-Ordered Blackout Drill
ribuneindia.com invites contributions to SHAHARNAMA. Share anecdotes, unforgettable incidents, impressionable moments that define your cities, neighbourhoods, what the city stands for, what makes its people who they are. Send your contributions in English, not exceeding 150 words, to shaharnama@tribunemail.com Do include your social media handles (X/ Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
I decided to pursue journalism while still in college, and that too from the IIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication), New Delhi. Luckily, I have been able to clear the IIMC’s entrance exam and secure admission. This has given me the opportunity to stay in Dil walon ki Dilli.
This is the first time I have lived anywhere outside my home state of Jammu and Kashmir. The experience has been wonderful.
I have often wondered who is actually a Dilliwala as here in the capital of India you find people from every corner of the country who have made this city their home.
Delhi has a much larger population than its capacity area-wise, and despite the pollution, traffic jams and many other problems, it still goes on. The best thing about living here is the IIMC’s location. Situated within the JNU campus, it is surrounded by lush greenery of Sanjay Van. The wooded area offers tranquillity and peace despite being situated in Delhi.
Many times, I wake up to the sounds of peacocks and other birds, and if I am lucky, even the sight of a peacock.
Travelling in metro is a boon; otherwise, the costly rickshaws will rip anyone off. Overall, the people are kind — not rude, like we often hear mistakenly.
There is another mistaken belief that I have to often hear and bear — of me being a Punjabi. Because I am a Sikh, I haven’t found a single person who didn’t consider me a Punjabi. It is something new for me, as I never have to face this back home. Almost everyone here has been like, “Oh, I thought you are from Punjab.”
And I don’t feel bad about it. I just think people should be aware that there are Sikhs in other parts of India also, and should know that not every Sikh is a Punjabi.
I am from Jammu and Kashmir, and my family has been living there for generations. Most people don’t know that there is a good number of Sikh population in Jammu and Kashmir which is native to that place
I am really proud of the place where I come from. I just hope people realise someday that Sikhs belong to India and not just Punjab.
Amanpreet Singh, Jammu/New Delhi
UK Parliament debates India-Pakistan conflict, appeals for de-escalation
UK shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel highlights India’s right to take ‘reasonable and proportionate’ steps to defend itself
The rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in PoK was debated at length in the British Parliament, with members across parties appealing for UK efforts to aid de-escalation in the region.
India launched Operation Sindoor early Wednesday, hitting nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan’s Punjab province in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
UK Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer opened the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday with a statement reiterating Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s earlier remarks over the importance of diplomacy and dialogue.
He also expressed concerns related to the very “personal” aspect of the conflict for a large number of British Indians and British Pakistanis in the country.
“Our consistent message to both India and Pakistan has been to show restraint. They need to engage in dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward,” said Falconer.
“The UK has a close and unique relationship with both countries. It is heartbreaking to see civilian lives being lost. If this escalates further, nobody wins. We clearly condemned the horrific terrorist attack last month,” he said referring to the Pahalgam terror attack and said it was the worst such attack for many years for that region.
“Now, we need all sides to focus urgently on the steps needed to restore regional stability and ensure the protection of civilians,” Falconer said.
He asserted that the UK will continue to work closely with international partners in pursuit of “short-term de-escalation and longer-term stability”. “We now need to see calm heads. Britain will continue to play its full part for de-escalation and diplomacy,” he said.
UK shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel highlighted India’s right to take “reasonable and proportionate” steps to defend itself, and to dismantle the “vile terrorist infrastructure” that has caused death and continues to threaten Indian security.
“Terrorists based in Pakistan threaten India and western interests — it was the country that Osama bin Laden was hiding in — and because of the long history of violence being inflicted by terrorists on India, the UK has in place long-standing security cooperation agreements with India,” noted the British Indian MP.
She went on to question if Britain could offer specific support that might help avert escalation and also asked for the government’s assessment of who carried out the terror attack in Kashmir on April 22.
India-born Labour MP Jas Athwal addressed the Commons on a personal note, highlighting that his parents were born in Pakistan. “I know only too well that neither nation will take a backward step, so what can the minister do to assure me and my residents in Ilford South that we will do everything possible to bring both the superpowers to the negotiating table to restore peace to this volatile part of the world,” he asked.
Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman called for terrorist bases to be removed “once and for all” from Pakistan.
“It was made clear at the time by India that either Pakistan removes the terrorist spaces along the line of control, or India would remove them… nine sites were hit; Those were terrorist bases where terrorists were being trained to commit further atrocities in India,” he said.
Blast heard in Pakistan’s Lahore amid tensions with India
India conducts blackout drills near Pakistan border; global powers urge a calming of tensions
A blast was heard in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Thursday morning, according to broadcaster Geo TV and a Reuters witness, a day after Indian strikes at multiple locations in the country and fears of an escalation in conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
There was no immediate word on the reason for the blast.
India hit “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan in the early hours of Wednesday, two weeks after it accused the Islamic nation of involvement in an attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed.
Islamabad had denied the accusation and vowed to retaliate to the missile strikes.
Pakistan says at least 31 of its civilians were killed and about 50 wounded in the strikes and in cross-border shelling that followed, while India says 13 of its civilians died and 43 were wounded.
The cross-border exchange of fire tapered off slightly overnight, Indian officials said.
India also conducted blackout drills in regions close to its border with Pakistan, including the northern city of Amritsar which houses the Golden Temple, in anticipation of retaliation to its strikes.
In Pakistan, meanwhile, most cities restored some normalcy and children returned to school, but in the border province of Punjab, hospitals and civil defence authorities remained on high alert.
Although Pakistan’s federal government has pledged to respond to India’s strikes, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told The New York Times on Wednesday that Pakistan was ready to de-escalate.
With India saying it would “respond” if Pakistan “responds”, global powers have urged a calming of tensions.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the countries could “work it out”, adding he “will be there” if he can help.
State Stalwarts
DEFENCES FORCES RANKS
ARMY, NAVY, AIRFORCE RANKS
FORMATION SIGNS
FORMATION SIGNS
ALL HUMANS ARE ONE CREATED BY GOD
HINDUS,MUSLIMS,SIKHS.ISAI SAB HAI BHAI BHAI
CHIEF PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
LT GEN JASBIR SINGH DHALIWAL, DOGRA
SENIOR PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
MAJOR GEN HARVIJAY SINGH, SENA MEDAL ,corps of signals
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PRESIDENT CHANDIGARH ZONE
COL SHANJIT SINGH BHULLAR
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PRESIDENT TRI CITY COORDINATOR
COL B S BRAR (BHUPI BRAR)
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INDIAN DEFENCE FORCES
DEFENCE FORCES INTEGRATED LOGO
FORCES FLAGS
15 Th PRESIDENT OF INDIA SUPREME COMMANDER ARMED FORCES
Droupadi Murmu
DEFENCE MINISTER
Minister Rajnath Singh
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (2nd)
General Anil Chauhan PVSM UYSM AVSM SM VSM
INDIAN FORCES CHIEFS
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF(29th)
General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM (30 Jun 2024 to Till Date)
