India on the edge: A nation's silent alarm goes off amid Indo-Pak conflict; schools closed, flights suspended. Here's the state-by-state response and travel advisories you need to know.
Escalating India-Pakistan Tension: Open and Closed Areas, nationwide preparedness measures in India detailed
India is on high alert, though the alarms might not be blaring. Tensions between India and pakistan are soaring after recent military operations and retaliatory fire, causing states and cities to switch into emergency mode. You'll find schools closed, flights cancelled, and increased police patrols here, there, and everywhere.
Let's look at what's shut, what's open, and how different states are bracing for any potential chaos.
Delhi: Leaves cancelled, City on high alert
In the heart of the nation, all government employees are expected to report to work with no excuses. Leave applications are suspended until further notice. Security drills are in progress at malls, metro stations, markets, and even residential areas. India Gate, once a popular spot for leisure, has temporarily restricted access for visitors.
Cops and Bomb Disposal Squads are out inspecting key locations, while metro stations like Mayur Vihar Phase-1 are under constant surveillance with multiple cameras and guards on high alert.
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Northern States: Schools closed, Borders secured
The fear of further attacks has led to a wave of school closures in border states. Here's the lowdown on what's shut:
Punjab: Schools, colleges, and universities are closed for three days. Border districts like Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar are on high alert.
Jammu & Kashmir: Schools closed on May 9 and 10. Heavily shelled border sectors have led to some civilian evacuations.
Rajasthan: Schools closed in districts such as Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Sri Ganganagar. Night blackouts (9 pm to 4 am) are enforced in some areas.
Himachal Pradesh: Schools in Una district are closed as a precaution.
Haryana: Schools are shut throughout the state.
Leh: A two-day suspension of school activities was announced.
Jaisalmer: Unconfirmed reports of drones intercepted and explosions heard overnight; CM calls emergency meeting
Airport shut, Flights suspended
Air travel has taken a beating. Twenty-seven airports, including Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh, are currently off-limits for civilian flights. Airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India have issued travel advisories, rerouted flights, and cancelled numerous services.
Passengers travelling to and from northern states are recommended to arrive early due to tighter-than-usual security checks. Indigo alone cancelled 165 flights in one day.
A fee waiver is being offered for changes or cancellations on bookings made before May 8 for certain locations, including Chandigarh, Bikaner, and Rajkot[5].
Statewise Emergency measures: A quick glance
Rajasthan: Red alerts in multiple districts; ongoing blackout protocols.
Gujarat: Police leaves cancelled; increased coastal security, local surveillance stepped up in Jamnagar and Dwarka.
Punjab: Police leaves suspended; enhanced border patrol and public communication systems activated.
Haryana and West Bengal: Leaves for government employees cancelled; emergency drills and preparations underway.
ICAI Exams Postponed
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has rescheduled all exams scheduled from May 9 to May 14[1]. Students across the country received a notification that the decision was made due to the "tense and uncertain security situation."
Operation Sindoor: Over 20 Indian airports closed, 300 flights cancelled till May 10
The escalation began with India's counterstrike, 'Operation Sindoor,' in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Indian forces launched a retaliation on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir[3]. In return, Pakistan fired shells, flew drones, and attempted missile strikes in numerous Indian locations.
India Pakistan News Operation Sindoor Pahalgam Terror Attack Pakistan attack Stock Market Quotes Share Market News India News business news our app
[1] - ICAI Notification: Link[2] - U.S Travel Advisory: Link[3] - Indian Airports on High Alert: Link[4] - IndiGo Travel Advisory: Link[5] - Multiple sources, including news outlets and government websites. Link1, Link2
- Delhi's government employees are required to report to work without any excuses, as leave applications are currently suspended due to the heightened alert in the city.
- India Gate, a popular leisure spot in Delhi, has temporarily restricted access for visitors as a precautionary measure.
- In Punjab, schools, colleges, and universities are closed for three days, and border districts such as Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar are on high alert.
- In Jammu & Kashmir, schools are closed on May 9 and 10, and heavily shelled border sectors have led to some civilian evacuations.
- IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India have issued travel advisories, rerouted flights, and cancelled numerous services due to the closure of 27 airports, including Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh.
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has rescheduled all exams scheduled from May 9 to May 14 due to the "tense and uncertain security situation."
- The escalation between India and Pakistan began with India's counterstrike, 'Operation Sindoor,' in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, and led to increased war-and-conflicts news, general news, crime-and-justice, and sports discussions in both countries.
