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The city of Jammu witnessed a blackout once again on the night of Friday, May 9, accompanied by blaring sirens and intermittent explosions, as tensions between India and Pakistan continued. The Indian Army has reported that Pakistan launched drones along India’s Western border and committed ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. On the morning of May 10, multiple armed drones flying over an Army cantonment area in Amritsar, Punjab, were intercepted and destroyed by India’s air defence units, according to the Army.
Over the past few nights, blackouts have been enforced in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Blackouts are implemented to obstruct visibility for enemy aircraft, making it harder for them to identify strategic locations or densely populated areas. However, advanced military aircraft often use GPS and other navigation technology that don’t rely solely on visual cues.
Blackouts and air raid sirens are part of broader civil defense preparedness measures.
What to do when you hear an air raid siren
There are two types of air raid alert sirens: one signals a warning to take shelter, and the other indicates that the threat has passed.
Red alert sirens are sounded when the Indian Air Force issues an air raid warning. “These sirens have a fluctuating pitch that goes up and down in four second-intervals and plays for five minutes,” Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Chandigarh district administration, when a red alert siren sounds, you should:
> Turn off all indoor and outdoor lights, fans, and electrical appliances.
> Draw your curtains and shut windows to prevent light from escaping.
> Disconnect any automatic lighting in advance.
> Avoid using mobile phones, flashlights, or other light emitting devices in open areas.
People should stay indoors, away from windows and external walls, and avoid stepping out onto balconies or rooftops. If you are in a vehicle, park and turn off the vehicle’s lights off, and take shelter in a nearby building, underpass, or underground parking lot.
If you live in an area with designated air raid shelters, protective trenches, or bunkers, move to the nearest such secure locations when you hear the warning siren, the South Goa district’s advisory said.
Public transport must either stop at the nearest safe location or proceed with lights turned off.
It’s important to stay calm during such exercises, government officials urged citizens.
Once the threat of an air raid recedes, a green alert siren is sounded. This is a shorter siren of an even pitch, signalling that people can venture out if necessary and resume normal activity.
Air travel disruptions and security protocols
As border states carry out defence drills and civil preparedness efforts, civil flight operations have been suspended at several airports across northern and western India, affecting air travellers nationwide.
Aviation safety consultant Captain Mohan Ranganathan told TNM that passengers must exercise extra caution during this period. “If you carry items that appear suspicious during screening, they can pull you aside,” he said. Batteries, wires, and similar items should be packed separately and not placed inside carry-on luggage. “If something triggers the X-ray system, you will be questioned,” he added.
Mohan also cautioned travellers against making sensitive or joking remarks near airport security. “Don’t make such comments — even as a joke. They can be misunderstood or people nearby can misquote you. Passengers should be very guarded with what they say and do.”
Other travel tips from Mohan include:
> Do not switch seats on the aircraft unless instructed by the cabin crew.
> Keep your boarding pass with you throughout the journey, as it’s the only proof that you are a verified passenger.
> Do not smoke on the aircraft, as triggering smoke alerts can lead to arrest.
> Exit calmly at your destination. Avoid appearing suspicious in any manner, as it could invite scrutiny.