Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations

New Delhi: A sense of hope instilled in people living in border districts of Punjab after India and Pakistan decided to stop firing and military action on Saturday was soured with late evening ceasefire violations.

The decision of India-Pakistan to stop firing and military action against each other had come as a sigh of relief for them. But the relief was short-lived. For late evening ceasefire violations brought back anxiety and apprehension which has gripped border areas of Punjab for the past few days ever since the tension between the two nations escalated.

While blackouts marked the onset of dusk, air sirens have become a constant feature throughout the day and night. Just when people in Amritsar were hoping the blackout would be lifted, after India and Pakistan announced its decision to stop firing, the blackout was announced again on Saturday night in Amritsar.

Since the day Pakistan started targeting civilian areas after India launched " Operation Sindoor", blackouts started around 9:30 pm in Pathankot and other border districts.

And from Thursday onwards, the blackout commenced at 8 pm and the shopkeepers were advised to shut shops by 6 pm. Loud explosions and air sirens could be heard throughout the night and even during the day until noon.

"There was a sense of apprehension, but the situation was under control. There is no panic. We are trying to stay away from rumours being peddled on social media websites and Whatsapp. There has no been no loss of life or property here. The people of Pathankot are well aware of the capabilities of the Indian Army", shared Anil Vasudeva, former Mayor and resident of Pathankot.

Three people of a family were injured in a Pakistani drone attack in Ferozepur (another border district) on Friday night. They suffered burn injuries and are currently under medical treatment. However, this does not seem to have dented the warrior spirit of Punjabis.

Ajay Wadhwa, a farmer and resident of Abohar in Fazilka district, who owns a farm situated four kilometers away from the Indo-Pak border shares "the situation seemed to be deteriorating (between India and Pakistan)". But, he clarifies, "we are not panicking".

And after late evening news of India-Pakistan deciding to stop firing, Wadhwa said "this would bring a big relief to us. We are hoping that things return to normal at the earliest without any interruption".

Wadhwa adds that people who own farms near border areas were facing difficulties due to the escalation. "The transport of vegetables from my farm to Ganganagar (Rajasthan) has been adversely affected due to the blackout," Wadhwa shares.