National: Following a night marked by intense cross-border shelling from Pakistan, a sense of normalcy has reportedly returned to the Jammu and Kashmir region.
Authorities confirmed that no instances of drone activity, firing, or shelling were recorded during the intervening night of May 10th and 11th. This period of quiet offers a temporary respite after a day of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Poonch area, which had also experienced the brunt of the recent border skirmishes, mirrored the calm reported in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Officials stated that the night passed without any reported incidents of drones, firing, or shelling in the region, suggesting a lull in the aggressive exchanges along the Line of Control.
Meanwhile, the escalating tensions between the two neighboring nations have prompted precautionary measures in areas further away from the immediate border. The District Collector of Amritsar issued a red alert for the district, urging all residents to remain indoors and stay away from windows as a safety precaution.
In a public statement released on Sunday, the Amritsar District Collector emphasized the continued high alert status despite the restoration of power supply. “We have restored power supply for your convenience, but we are still on red alert. Sirens will sound now, indicating this red alert. Please don’t move out of your house; stay indoors and away from windows. We will be informing you when we get the green signal. Please ensure compliance and please don’t panic,” the statement read. This directive followed an earlier advisory issued at 4:39 am, in which residents were instructed to keep their lights off and avoid proximity to windows, roads, balconies, and terraces.
The heightened alert in Amritsar came after India’s strong condemnation of Pakistan’s actions on Saturday. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Pakistan had violated the understanding reached earlier in the day between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries regarding the cessation of firing and military activities. Misri asserted that the Indian Army was actively retaliating and addressing the border intrusions.
During a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Misri conveyed the government’s serious concern over these violations, stating, “This is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today and India takes very serious note of these violations.” India has urged Pakistan to take immediate and appropriate steps to address these violations with seriousness and responsibility.
Furthermore, Foreign Secretary Misri indicated that India’s Armed Forces have been given clear instructions to respond firmly to any future instances of border violations along both the International Border and the Line of Control. He reiterated the government’s stance, saying, “For the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan. This is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today. The armed forces are giving an adequate and appropriate response to these violations and we take very very serious note of these violations.” He concluded by emphasizing India’s call for responsible action from Pakistan and the continued vigilance of the Indian Armed Forces, who “have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the border along the International Border as well as the Line of Control.”
Read More: Gogoi Voices Concern Over IMF Aid to Pakistan Amidst Ceasefire