As military tensions rise between Pakistan and India, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made an appeal on social media late on Friday evening. He urged people in Jammu to stay calm, after there was a total blackout in the region with alarms sounding and reports of explosions sending panic through the region.
“It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu, please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours,” Omar Abdullah tweeted. “Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together.”
It’s my earnest appeal to everyone in & around Jammu please stay off the streets, stay at home or at the nearest place you can comfortably stay at for the next few hours. Ignore rumours, don’t spread unsubstantiated or unverified stories & we will get through this together.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 9, 2025
Sounds of Blasts, Sirens, Citywide Blackout says Omar Abdullah
In a series of tweets, Omar Abdullah reported hearing “intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery,” from his location, underlining the gravity of the situation.A video post showing the pitch-black streets of Jammu accompanied by air raid sirens supported his remarks.
Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 9, 2025
India’s air defence response to incoming Pakistani drones appears to have caused the blackout, as the drones were shot down near the border. Although the Indian government has not issued a formal statement, security personnel remain on high alert in border towns like Jammu and Pathankot.
Pahalgam Attack Heightens Fears
A terrorist attack in Pahalgam preceded the incidents in Jammu. Suspected militants, allegedly backed by Pakistan, opened fire at a convoy of Army engineers. The attack killed two personnel and injured four others. Authorities have linked Thursday’s attack to the rising tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and widely condemned it.
In response, Indian security forces initiated Operation Sindoor, a comprehensive counter-insurgency operation aimed at dismantling terror networks in the Pahalgam-Anantnag region. Security sources confirmed that forces had dismantled several hideouts and neutralized at least three militants within the first 24 hours.
Omar Abdullah Urges Restraint as Tensions Mount
Omar Abdullah’s public communication has served as one of the few real-time updates from inside Jammu, urging restraint and civic discipline amid the chaos. “We must trust our armed forces and avoid panic. Please don’t share or believe in fake forwards,” he warned.
With Indian forces ongoing in their operations and citizens taking shelter indoors, the situation remains amorphous. We can expect greater clarity as soon as formal statements are released on both Operation Sindoor and the progress made on the Jammu intercepts.
