Following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan and recent drone attacks, the Ambala district administration in Haryana has ordered a strict nightly blackout from 8 PM to 6 AM, effective from Friday night until further notice.
The directive was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, by Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomer (IAS, 2012 batch), citing a “perceived threat” to public safety.
Why the Blackout?
This move comes just a day after over 50 hostile drones launched from Pakistan were intercepted during a coordinated night assault on key Indian military bases in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, and Akhnoor. The drones reportedly aimed to strike strategic assets, escalating cross-border tensions significantly.
Key Provisions of the Blackout Order:
Complete suspension of all outdoor lighting from 8 PM to 6 AM.
Indoor lights must be shielded to prevent any visible light from escaping through windows or doors.
Generators and inverters may not be used for outdoor lighting. They can only be used indoors, with heavy curtains to block any visible illumination.
All street lights, advertisement boards, and external lighting at shops, homes, and public buildings must remain off during blackout hours.
The order explicitly warns that any form of visible light may attract aerial threats, particularly drone attacks, as they can be interpreted by hostile actors as target locations.
Triggering Incident: Air Raid Siren and Military Alert
On Friday morning at 10:20 AM, an air raid siren was sounded across Ambala following an alert issued by the Indian Air Force Station, suggesting a possible aerial threat. Citizens were instructed to stay indoors and avoid rooftops or balconies during the alert.
Ambala is considered a strategic military zone due to the presence of one of the country’s key operational airbases, making it a potential target in any cross-border conflict.
Public Notification and Enforcement
To ensure public awareness, the blackout order will be disseminated through:
Mobile announcement vans
Notices at district courts, police stations, SP/DSP offices
Municipal and panchayat offices
Bus terminals and tehsil headquarters
The Ambala Superintendent of Police has been tasked with strict enforcement, and any violations may lead to legal action under Section 223 of BNSS, the newly enacted criminal code.
Context: Fallout from Operation Sindoor
This precautionary action comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, during which India thwarted one of the largest recorded drone attacks on its soil. The military remains on high alert, with the Territorial Army mobilized in specific zones.
This is the first such blackout in recent history, reflecting the growing threat of unconventional, drone-based warfare. Citizens are urged to comply strictly with the blackout rules to ensure both personal and national security.
