Key Points
- Amritsar District Collector issues red alert amid India-Pakistan tensions, urging residents to stay indoors and away from windows.
- Ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was violated within 3 hours of implementation, with drone attacks reported in border areas.
- Blackout imposed across Punjab border regions; power has been restored but red alert remains in effect.
- Emergency helpline numbers established for both civil and police assistance in Amritsar.
- Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement that came into effect at 5 pm Saturday.
- Indian Army is actively responding to border infiltration attempts and ceasefire violations.
Amritsar: Tensions along the India-Pakistan border have escalated dramatically, forcing authorities in Amritsar to issue emergency protocols for residents as military actions continue despite a formal ceasefire agreement. The district administration has implemented stringent safety measures while assuring citizens that essential services will be maintained during this crisis.
Amritsar Under Red Alert: Residents Ordered to Take Shelter
The Amritsar District Collector issued a comprehensive red alert on Sunday, implementing emergency protocols across the district that borders Pakistan. “We have restored power supply for your convenience, but we remain on red alert,” the official statement read. “A siren will sound indicating this red alert status. Please do not step out of your house; stay indoors and away from windows. When we receive the green signal, we will inform you immediately. Please comply with these directives and remain calm.”
This follows an earlier advisory at 4:39 am instructing residents to keep lights off and avoid exposure near windows, roads, balconies, or rooftops. “Out of utmost caution, please stay indoors with lights switched off and remain away from windows,” the District Collector emphasized. “Do not go out on roads, balconies, or terraces. There is no need to panic. We will notify you when normal activities can resume.”
Emergency Response System Activated
To address public concerns and provide assistance during this crisis, Amritsar authorities have established dedicated helpline numbers:
- Civil Control Room: 01832226262, 7973867446
- Police Control Room: 9781130666 (City), 9780003387 (Rural)
Officials are urging residents to use these numbers only for genuine emergencies and to follow official channels for updates rather than relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
Ceasefire Violated Within Hours
The current crisis stems from Pakistan’s violation of a ceasefire agreement that had been reached between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. The ceasefire, which officially began at 5 pm on Saturday, was violated within just three hours, according to Indian officials.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the situation in a late-night press briefing on Saturday, stating: “Pakistan has violated the consensus reached during discussions between the DGMOs to cease firing and military action. This constitutes a clear violation of the ceasefire that came into effect at 5 pm Saturday evening. India takes these violations extremely seriously.”
Misri called upon Pakistan “to take appropriate steps to address these violations and handle the situation with seriousness and responsibility.”
Border Areas Under Threat
Reports indicate that Pakistani drones targeted border areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab shortly after the ceasefire went into effect, prompting authorities to impose a blackout across the region. The Indian Army has been authorized to retaliate and is actively responding to infiltration attempts along the border.
Security experts suggest that the drone attacks represent a significant escalation, as they can penetrate deeper into Indian territory and potentially target critical infrastructure. The blackout measures are designed to minimize the effectiveness of such attacks by reducing visible targets.
Broader Context of Tensions
This latest flare-up follows weeks of increasing hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The situation remains fluid, with military movements reported on both sides of the border. Defense analysts note that while diplomatic channels remain open, the rapid violation of the ceasefire indicates a concerning level of instability in the region.
The Punjab government has placed all border districts on high alert, with additional paramilitary forces deployed to sensitive areas. Schools in border regions have been closed until further notice, and non-essential travel to areas within 10 kilometers of the international border has been restricted.
Residents of Amritsar and other border communities are advised to remain vigilant, follow official instructions, and prepare emergency supplies while authorities work to de-escalate the situation.
