In the wake of intensifying hostilities between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, Gurdaspur district in Punjab has become the first in the state to implement a complete night-time blackout as a civilian precautionary measure.
According to an official notice issued by the Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner, the blackout will be enforced daily from 9 PM to 5 AM starting Thursday night and will remain in place until further notice. This step comes amid rising concerns over potential cross-border retaliatory threats after India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
While hospitals and the central jail are exempt from the order, authorities have mandated that even these facilities must ensure no light escapes through windows or doors during blackout hours. The notice stresses strict compliance by residents and commercial establishments, warning that no external lighting should be visible overnight.
Strategically situated at the confluence of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, Gurdaspur plays a critical role in India’s defence infrastructure. It lies close to key military routes that connect to Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, and also serves as a passage toward Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra Valley, home to crucial hydroelectric installations like the Ranjit Sagar and Pong dams.
The move signals heightened preparedness and civil defence coordination, following similar drills like Operation Abhyaas, which were conducted earlier this week in nearby Amritsar. Photos from the rehearsals showed the Golden Temple under blackout, underscoring the seriousness of the government’s security response.
As the situation unfolds, Gurdaspur’s blackout could be a precursor to similar measures in other border districts. Citizens are being urged to stay alert and follow official advisories closely.
