Authorities have imposed a night-time blackout as a precaution against potential air strikes in some of the western districts of Rajasthan. The state shares around 1,073 km of international border with Pakistan that passes through four districts and considering this, the whole state is on high alert. In Barmer and Jaisalmer the blackout runs from 9 PM to 4 AM, while in Jodhpur it is enforced from 12:30 AM to 4 AM, as per media reports
Additionally, drone flying and firecracker use have been banned in Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar. As a safety measure, all government and private schools in Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer have been shut, along with colleges in Jodhpur. Flight operations at Bikaner, Kishangarh (Ajmer), and Jodhpur airports are suspended until May 10.
According to a report by india.com, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant and Director General of Police U R Sahoo held a review meeting with divisional commissioners, district collectors, inspectors general, and superintendents of police. Police across the state were directed to beef up security amid the escalating tensions with the neighbour country.
The Rajasthan government has instructed all collectors and SPs to prepare for a potential war-like scenario by enhancing security measures and making all arrangements related to disaster management, the Free Press Journal reported. A complete blackout has also been enforced in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, India's air defence system intercepted and shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet after Pakistan carried out coordinated strikes at multiple locations in Jammu and Punjab. Simultaneously, several drone incursions were thwarted—one was downed in Akhnoor, while others were intercepted in Jammu & Kashmir's Udhampur and Rajasthan's Jaisalmer. In Poonch, two Kamikaze drones were also neutralised.
In a significant escalation, Pakistan launched simultaneous attacks targeting several areas in Jammu, including the airport.
