Sirens Sounded in Tricity, Students Leave for Home

In the wake of this rising conflict, all schools, colleges, and educational institutions in Chandigarh—the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana—have been ordered shut until May 12.

- NEERAJ MOHAN/TARUNI GANDHI

In the wake of this rising conflict, all schools, colleges, and educational institutions in Chandigarh—the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana—have been ordered shut until May 12. The entire Tricity region (Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali) has been placed on high alert. The Chandigarh administration has announced that all markets and shopping malls in the city must close by 7 p.m. Additionally, a complete ban has been imposed on fireworks and crackers. In Panchkula, the district administration has decided that all shops must shut by 6 p.m., although essential services like medical stores will remain open. In Mohali, all markets are to close by 8 p.m.

An alert was issued in areas near the Chandigarh airport on Friday, including Mohali, Panchkula, and Ambala. People were told to stay indoors, away from windows and doors, and not step out unless absolutely necessary. The warning came after Pakistan attempted to target Indian military locations on Thursday night.

The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has suspended its bus services to Jammu and Katra. College students from Chandigarh and surrounding areas have started returning home, leading to heavy crowds at Chandigarh's 43 bus stands on Friday. Meanwhile, many city streets have fallen silent. Following repeated drone alerts from Pakistan across several regions in Punjab last night, most students living in major college and university hostels in Mohali have packed their bags and are heading home.