Blackout enforced in several Punjab districts, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur and Chandigarh

“Considering recent developments, we cannot take things lightly. The public must follow blackout protocols,” said Aditya Uppal, Deputy Commissioner, Pathankot, adding that the May 7 to 8 midnight blackout was a signal for residents to prepare for emergencies.

In Hoshiarpur, an indefinite district-wide blackout was announced Tuesday night following IAF instructions. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain ordered all external lights — including those in households and streets, and generator, and inverter-based — to remain off until further notice. Municipal lighting is also to be suspended.

“The blackout has been ordered as a security measure based on inputs from the Indian Air Force. It will remain in force until further instructions,” Jain said, urging residents to cooperate and avoid panic.

The decision came hours after a mysterious cylindrical object, resembling a geyser and marked with the words “Test Port Seeker,” fell into the courtyard of a house in the Ghagwal village of Hajipur, Hoshiarpur, early Wednesday. The object, which had protruding wires and made a loud noise on impact, was recovered by the police and handed over to an air force team.

Kulwinder Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said it is suspected to be a data recorder from an aircraft. Forensic and anti-sabotage teams were called to examine the device.

In Jalandhar, Himanshu Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, appealed to the residents to comply with the blackout.

In Amritsar, the blackout started around 9 pm, after the one enforced around midnight Thursday as well. Sakshi Sahni, Deputy Commissioner, imposed a ban on fireworks, including aerial and Chinese firecrackers, at weddings, festivals, and religious gatherings. The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, aims to prevent panic and maintain order. “The ban will stay in effect until further notice,” the district administration said.

Sahni also formed a special task force led by the district food supply controller and mandi officer to prevent hoarding and black marketing of essentials — particularly food items, fuel, fodder, and dairy. The team will inspect markets and act against unethical trade practices, ensuring fair access to supplies, especially for vulnerable sections.

“No one will be allowed to hoard essentials like grains, milk, petrol, diesel, or fodder. Violators will face strict action,” Sahni said, adding that there is no shortage in the district and urging the public not to panic.

Meanwhile, schools in Tarn Taran will remain closed from May 8 to May 11, said the district administration, citing student safety amid the evolving situation. In Chandigarh, schools have been asked to close on Friday and Saturday.

Public concern has grown since the Ministry of Defence reported that potential aerial attacks on Amritsar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, and Bathinda were neutralised by the Indian Air Force during the night of May 7–8.

“After hearing this, we can expect regular blackouts to become the norm,” a resident in Sangrur said. Deputy commissioners in Jalandhar and Faridkot said blackout enforcement would depend on red alerts from security agencies. “Blackouts will be enforced as and when red alerts are issued by the Air Force or Army,” said Aggarwal, Jalandhar DC. His counterpart in Faridkot, Poonamdeep Kaur, echoed the same.

Authorities have appealed to residents to stay calm, follow official advisories, and refrain from spreading unverified information.