Air threat alert issued by Air Force in Chandigarh ends

A potential aerial threat alert was issued on Friday by the Air Force Station in Chandigarh, prompting authorities to initiate emergency protocols across the city.

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Sirens were sounded in multiple areas following the warning, signalling residents to take immediate precautionary measures. In response, the office of the District Commissioner (DC), Chandigarh, urged all citizens to remain indoors and avoid balconies, rooftops, and open areas until further notice.

“This is a precautionary measure in view of an air warning received from the Air Force Station. Citizens are advised to stay calm, remain inside their homes, and await further instructions from official sources,” said a statement from the DC’s office, adding that "The sounding of air warning sirens are part of the precautionary and preparatory measures. Public is advised to exercise restraint, follow the guidelines and ignore the rumours. We are fully geared up to deal with any exigency arising out of the current situation following escalating tension between India and Pakistan."

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and security measures have been heightened across key locations in the city.  Emergency services are on standby.

Soon, sirens were sounded instructing residents that the alert has ended.

Chandigarh is the common capital of Punjab and Haryana.

The development comes amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan.

The Mohali district administration in Punjab has also advised people living in the areas bordering Chandigarh to remain indoors.

"There is an alert in some areas of Chandigarh. We are advising Mohali residents in the bordering sectors to remain indoors and away from windows and glass panes," a message shared by the Mohali administration said.

Similar air siren was sounded in Chandigarh on Thursday night as India swiftly thwarted Pakistan's fresh attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles, including in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, after foiling its attempts to target military installations in 15 cities in the northern and western parts of the country.

According to the defence ministry, the Pakistani military on Thursday night attempted to target Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai and Bhuj.

The renewed attempts by the Pakistani forces came after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under ‘Operation Sindoor' in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.