India-Pakistan Tensions: After the tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, in a post on X, informed that the schools, colleges, and universities in Punjab will remain shut for the next three days. 

“In view of the evolving situation, it is hereby ordered that all Schools, Colleges, and Universities — Government, Private, and Aided — across entire Punjab shall remain completely closed for the next three days,” the Punjab Education Minister wrote in the post. In view of the evolving situation, it is hereby ordered that all Schools, Colleges, and Universities — Government, Private, and Aided — across entire Punjab shall remain completely closed for the next three days

— Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) May 8, 2025

Blackouts In Punjab

According to ANI, Pakistan fired eight missiles directed at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia, however, all were intercepted and blocked by air defence units. Explosions were also heard as Indian air defence intercepted Pakistani drones in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur. A complete blackout was enforced in Jalandhar in Punjab. Furthermore, blackouts were also implemented in Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Samba, Jammu, and Amritsar, Jalandhar. 

Operation Sindoor

Earlier, India had launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ in which terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK was targeted through precision strikes. This came after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people. New Delhi had also said that any attack on military installations will invite a suitable response. 

At a media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that escalation by Pakistan will be responded to and is being responded to appropriately, and added that India’s intention has not been to escalate matters. 

In a statement, the Defence Ministry on Thursday also informed that on the night of 7 and 8 May 2025, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. 

“These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems. The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks,” the statement added.

It continued, “Today morning Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised.”

The statement said Pakistan had increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using Mortars and heavy-calibre Artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Sixteen innocent lives have been lost, including three women and five children, due to Pakistani firing. Here too, India was compelled to respond to bring Mortar and Artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt. Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military,” the Ministry’s statement noted.

(with ANI inputs)