Total Blackout Enforced in Gujarat’s Border Districts Amid Rising Tensions

Several parts of Gujarat’s border districts of Kutch and Banaskantha experienced a total blackout on Thursday night as a precautionary measure amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Authorities confirmed that key towns, including Bhuj, Nalia, Nakhatrana, and Gandhidham in Kutch, were affected, along with multiple villages in Banaskantha’s Suigam taluka.  

Incident Overview:  
- The blackout lasted for over seven hours, beginning at 10 pm on Thursday and ending around 5:30 am on Friday.  
- Officials stated that the measure was taken to deter any potential offensive actions from across the border.  
- In addition to the blackout, wreckage of a drone-like object was discovered near Khavda village in Kutch, close to the India-Pakistan border.  
- The origin of the drone remains unclear, with authorities investigating whether it was shot down or damaged upon impact with a power line.  

Security Measures:  
- The blackout was enforced following Indian armed forces’ missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.  
- The strikes targeted locations linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba in response to a recent terror attack in Pahalgam.  
- Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring the safety of residents in the affected regions.  

Sources:  
India Today, Deccan Chronicle, The Tribune, OneIndia.