Blackouts, drones neutralised and IPL pause: What unfolded in the last 24 hours amid India-Pakistan tension

Big developments in the India-Pakistan conflict over the last 24 hours

In the past 24 hours, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically, marking one of the most severe confrontations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in recent decades.

In response to the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, the armed forces conducted as many as 24 precision missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), including Muridke and Bahawalpur—strongholds of the terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), respectively.

Around 2 AM, Pakistan retaliated by targeting civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC), triggering widespread ceasefire violations in the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Shelling was reported in Poonch and Tangdhar, resulting in the deaths of 15 civilians and injuring 43 individuals in Indian villages.

The Indian Army responded forcefully but exercised restraint to avoid firing into POK villages, despite provocations.

Significant developments in the India-Pakistan war over the last 24 hours:

Drone attacks neutralized

Indian air defense units successfully intercepted at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan towards the border areas of Jammu, including Jammu Airport at Satwari, on Thursday evening. The missiles targeted key locations such as Satwari (Jammu Airport), Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia.

Blackouts in Border Towns

Multiple border cities, including Pathankot, Amritsar, and Jaisalmer, experienced complete blackouts after Pakistan attempted to strike military sites with drones and missiles, including those in Jammu and Pathankot. Parts of Jammu and Punjab also faced temporary power outages as a precaution against possible air attacks. Authorities stated that the outages aimed to reduce visibility for hostile drones or aircraft during nighttime.

Leaves canceled

All leaves for Indian Army personnel and government staff in sensitive states such as Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir have been canceled, as forces remain on high operational alert.

US Distances Itself

US Vice President JD Vance commented that the conflict between India and Pakistan was "none of our business," indicating a neutral stance and ruling out direct involvement despite growing international concern.

Army authorized to call out territorial army

The Central Government has authorized the Chief of the Army Staff to call upon members of the Territorial Army as tensions with Pakistan rise. This decision, taken under the powers conferred by Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rule, 1948, aims to supplement and support the Indian Army’s regular forces across multiple commands.

IPL suspended for a week

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the Indian Premier League for one week amid rising tensions and security concerns. A statement from the BCCI confirmed this on Friday. Multiple match venues were considered vulnerable to potential threats. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing TATA IPL with immediate effect for one week. Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders," read the official statement.

Siren testing in cities

Civil defense authorities conducted siren drills across Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan to prepare the public for any potential emergency. Officials stated that these drills were precautionary and not linked to any immediate threat.

BSF kills seven in infiltration bid 

The Border Security Force (BSF) announced on Friday that it successfully thwarted a major infiltration attempt in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on the night of May 8-9, killing at least seven terrorists linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group and inflicting heavy damage on the Pakistan Rangers’ Dhandhar post.

Chandigarh hears air raid siren

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 remain indoors and away from balconies. "An air warning has been received from the Air Force Station regarding a possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to stay indoors and avoid balconies," a post on X by the SSP Chandigarh said.

Later in the day, the Chandigarh DC office ordered all shops, including restaurants, to close by 7 PM on Friday. However, this order does not apply to medical shops.

Army releases strike footage

The Indian Army shared the first-ever footage of a Pakistani military post being destroyed in Indian airstrikes across the Line of Control. According to the Army, the drone attacks were effectively repulsed, and a fitting response was made to the ceasefire violations. "The Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. All nefarious designs will be met with force," it stated.

India orders X to block thousands of accounts

Meanwhile, social platform X in a statement on Thursday said the Indian government had ordered it to block users in the country from accessing more than 8,000 accounts, including a number of “international news organizations and other prominent users.”