• Source:JND
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The Ferozepur Cantonment Board conducted a 30-minute blackout rehearsal on Sunday, from 9 pm to 9:30 pm, amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Electricity in the cantonment area was suspended for half an hour to test emergency protocols during potential war-like situations.

Gurjant Singh, Station House Officer of Ferozepur Cantonment Police Station, said the blackout was carried out from 9 PM to 9:30 PM as per the directions of senior officials. He confirmed that all lights were completely switched off during the exercise. If any vehicle was found with its lights on, they were promptly turned off. He added that the police remain fully alert and deployment was made at all key intersections to ensure security.

Before the blackout drill was started, police closely monitored known offenders, smugglers and anti-social elements. Surveillance was strengthened at toll plazas and on social media platforms to detect suspicious activities. The Border Security Force (BSF) increased patrolling along the international border, while the Punjab Police set up additional checkpoints at strategic locations.

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The security exercise comes in the wake of escalating tensions with Pakistan, which India blames for orchestrating the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 tourists dead. In retaliation, India has suspended Pakistani visas, halted the Indus Waters Treaty and taken other diplomatic and strategic steps.

Pakistan has denied India's allegations, responding by suspending cross-border trade, closing its airspace to Indian carriers and expelling Indian diplomats. It has warned that any interference with the Indus Waters Treaty would be seen as an act of war.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed unprecedented retaliation against those responsible for the Pahalgam attack. He declared that India’s 140 crore citizens stand united in their resolve to eliminate terrorism and deliver punishment beyond the imagination of the conspirators.

(With agency inputs)