Pakistan Army orders evacuation of key border villages amid blackout in military zones after Indian strikes

In a major development following India’s Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Army has ordered the evacuation of several villages along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab province, including Kasur, Bahawalnagar, Narowal, Sialkot, and Sheikhupura.

The Punjab State Intelligence Bureau (IB) has reportedly been asked to vacate these villages and relocate to safer zones. A complete communication and power blackout has been reported in several military cantonment zones in these areas, further intensifying speculation of a heightened military alert.

The move comes amid escalating tensions following India's targeted strikes on nine terror hubs across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said earlier today that India may carry out more strikes

Fifteen days after the Pahalgam carnage on April 22, the targets for the military response codenamed 'Operation Sindoor' included the Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM) stronghold of Bahawalpur in Punjab province that is located at over 100 km from the Indian border.

JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar acknowledged that 10 members of his family and four close associates were killed in India's missile attack.

Shortly after the missile attacks, the Pakistan Army resorted to heavy artillery and mortar shelling on forward villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in J and K, officials said. At least 13 people, including a soldier and four children, were killed and 57 others injured with the Poonch sector bearing the brunt.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country has every right to give a "befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India." Asif, however, said Islamabad is ready to "wrap up" tensions with New Delhi, if it de-escalates the situation.

The Pakistan Foreign Ministry described the Indian strikes as "unprovoked" and that the Indian military violated Pakistan's sovereignty using standoff weapons. The Pakistan army said at least 26 people were killed and 46 injured in these strikes.

Addressing the country this evening, Sharif threatened India over the strikes and said that the neighbouring country will have to face consequences.