Admns lift all curbs, but uneasy calm across tricity

The ceasefire between India and Pakistan has brought a much-needed respite to the residents. With the respective administrations lifting all curfew-like restrictions imposed in the tricity amid heightened tensions with Pakistan, normalcy returned to Chandigarh and its satellite towns of Mohali and Panchkula in the evening.

However, an uneasy calm prevailed in the region with reports of “ceasefire violations” late in the evening.

No sooner did the news of India and Pakistan agreeing to end the ongoing conflict spread like a wildfire, normalcy was seen returning to all parts of the tricity region. The panic buying, which was witnessed for the past two days, came to an end. The grocery stores, supermarkets and fuel stations saw a significant dip in the footfall.

Ever since India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK in the early hours of May 7 under Operation Sindoor to avenge the massacre of 26 people in Pahalgam, Chandigarh and its vicinity had remained on the neighbouring country’s radar, official sources told The Tribune on Saturday.

The sources said Chandigarh and its periphery areas comprising Mohali and Panchkula, which house several vital defence and civil installations, were the targets of Pakistan’s “provocative” action using drones, long-range weapons and fighter jets. All these attempts, however, were foiled by the timely and effective “preventive” action jointly taken by the defence and security forces.

“All such provocative attempts made by Pakistan to target defence and civil installations and civilians as well in this part of the region have been successfully countered by ensuring zero damage to any of the targeted infrastructure or civilians,” a top functionary privy to the development said.

He said as the two countries teetered on the brink of a full-scale war with Pakistan moving its troops into forward areas, indicating an “offensive intent”, the defence and civil administrations worked in complete coordination and remained in a high state of operational readiness.

“We have been keeping all our available resources ready for countering the enemy’s attack and ensuring the safety and security of our infrastructure and people in future as well,” the functionary disclosed.

In the wee hours of Saturday and on Friday morning, the Chandigarh Administration had received air warning from the Air Force station of possible attacks, following which sirens were sounded to alert the residents.

Unequivocally rejecting the false narratives being spread by Pakistan, Indian Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, earlier in the day, categorically denied the neighbouring country’s malicious misinformation campaign claiming the destruction of the S-400 system at Adampur, airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa, BrahMos base at Nagrota, artillery gun positions at Dehrangyari and Chandigarh Forward Ammunition Depot. The officer also showed some images of the IAF bases in the Punjab and Rajasthan sectors, debunking the Pakistan claims of causing destruction at these facilities.

“You can also see the normalcy at these air force stations,” she said, while confirming that Pakistan attempted multiple air intrusions using drones. Having the Army Western Command headquarters at Chandimandir and the IAF base at Mullanpur, which is part of the Western Air Command and houses No. 2224 Squadron Agni Baan (responsible for operating SA-3 Pechora surface-to-air missile systems), Chandigarh region was on Pakistan’s radar for obvious reasons, said the sources.

Besides the DRDO’s two major establishments, forward ammunition depot, IAF’s base repair depot, defence academies and international airport were among the other key installations in and around the city, which were put under enhanced security and vigil.

Restrictions lifted

Following the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, all curfew-like restrictions such as early closure of markets, commercial establishments, cinemas, public movement and blackouts imposed in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula were lifted with immediate effect on Saturday evening.

Situation under control: Admns

Situation is completely under control. The public should not panic and ignore rumours but remain vigilant. We are watching the evolving situation closely and precautionary measures, if needed, will be taken accordingly. As of now, no restrictions are in place, said the UT Administration. Similarly, Mohali and Panchkula district administrations have also claimed that the situation was normal and there was no need to panic. No fresh orders for restrictions were issued till the filing of the report.

Schools to reopen from Tuesday

All schools, colleges, coaching centres and other educational institutions, which were shut since Friday, will reopen as per routine timings in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula from Tuesday.

PU exams as per schedule

Panjab University, which on Friday postponed the scheduled semester and entrance exams , on Saturday announced that the semester examinations will be conducted from May 13, as per the already notified schedule.

CET (UG) on Monday

The CET (UG) entrance exam, which was earlier scheduled for May 11, will be conducted on May 12, at the examination centres notified earlier.

Ending conflict a welcome step: Guv Kataria

"The end of conflict is always a welcome step but our defence forces and civil administrations remained completely coordinated and fully operation-ready during the past few days, which were critical. We did not let the enemy cause any damage to either our infrastructure or people in this part of the region. Our civil defence enrolment drive turned out to be a big hit with over 3,000 volunteers coming forward to protect the motherland this morning," said Gulab Chand Kataria, Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator