A complete blackout occurred in Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley on Sunday night due to possible escalation on the Pakistan-India border. Officials said electricity was intentionally cut from the Nausori grid station, which also powers the Jagran and Sargan stations. The Electricity Department said this was a precautionary step due to rising border tensions.
At the same time, Indian media reported that the Ferozepur Cantonment in India also carried out a blackout drill. “The blackout was from 9 PM to 9:30 PM. As per the orders of the senior officers, lights were fully switched off. If any vehicle was found with its light turned on, it was turned off…Police are fully alert. Deployment has been made at all intersections,” Indian media quoted Gurjant Singh, SHO, Ferozepur Cantt Police Station.
On Monday, a group of local and foreign journalists visited the Line of Control (LoC) along with Minister for Information Ataullah Tarar. The purpose of the visit was to counter India’s claims about alleged militant hideouts in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The delegation visited specific sites India had identified and met local residents to see the ground reality for themselves.
Read more: Pakistan Army Responds to Unprovoked Indian Firing on LoC
Tensions between India and Pakistan have increased since the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir, where 26 tourists died. Following this, Indian authorities accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism. In response, Pakistan denied the allegations and organised the LoC visit for the media.
Pakistan also suspended its adherence to the 1972 Simla Agreement after India withdrew from the Indus Waters Treaty and took other hostile steps such as banning visas, denying Pakistani entry, and expelling diplomatic staff.
Political experts have expressed concern over the possibility of further escalation along the LoC. The United States and China have urged both countries to remain calm and resolve the crisis peacefully.
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