Chandigarh on high alert after air warning from IAF; residents told to stay indoors, all shops to close by 7pm

Palace of Assembly, Chandigarh

The Chandigarh administration issued an urgent alert early Friday, warning residents of a possible aerial attack following an air warning from the local Air Force Station. Sirens echoed across the city as the Deputy Commissioner advised everyone to stay indoors and away from balconies, marking a dramatic escalation in regional tensions amid ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan.

*ALERT*An Air warning has been received from Air force station of possible attack.Sirens are being sounded.All are advised to remain indoors and away from balconies.DC Chandigarh

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Chandigarh Admn (@chandigarh_admn) May 9, 2025

“An Air warning has been received from Air force station of possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and away from balconies,” a post on X by the SSP Chandigarh also informed.

Later in the day, the Chandigarh  DC office asked all shop establishments, including restaurants, to close by 7 pm on Friday. However, these orders will not be applicable for medical shops.

This development comes on the heels of a tense night, during which Chandigarh, along with neighbouring cities Mohali and Panchkula, enforced a three-hour blackout starting at 9.30 pm. The blackout was a pre-emptive measure in response to escalating tensions along India's western borders.

The heightened alert status is part of a broader national response to recent hostilities. India's armed forces have been on high alert following attempts by Pakistan to target various installations using drones and missiles. These attacks were reportedly thwarted by India's Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.

Security has been tightened around key installations, including the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, which remains closed to civilian flights, with only essential staff allowed entry, the Hindustan Times reported. Additional police patrols and barricades have been set up around sensitive sites and the Indian Air Force has assumed command of the airport since Wednesday.

In light of these events, several states, including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, have taken precautionary measures. Schools have been closed and leaves for police personnel and administrative officials have been cancelled to ensure readiness.

The current crisis was triggered by a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” striking multiple terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Tensions have since escalated, with both sides exchanging fire and India intercepting several incoming missiles and drones.