In the heart of Amritsar, a city revered for its spiritual and cultural significance, the night of May 7, 2025, was pierced by an unsettling stillness following a series of loud explosions that echoed through its streets. The vibrant city, home to the Golden Temple, was plunged into darkness as the district administration enforced a citywide blackout, urging residents to remain indoors and extinguish all external lights. The directive, issued with urgency, came in response to reports of multiple blasts, particularly near the Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, sending ripples of concern through the community. For a city accustomed to bustling markets and nightly prayers, the sudden silence and darkness were a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in a region long marked by its proximity to the India-Pakistan border.
The District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) addressed the public with a measured yet firm tone, emphasizing that the blackout was a precautionary measure to ensure safety. “Please stay at home, do not panic, and ensure all outside lights are turned off,” the DPRO stated, underscoring the need for calm compliance. The power outage, a deliberate component of the blackout protocol, enveloped the city, halting normal activity and casting an eerie quiet over neighborhoods. Residents, many of whom were already on edge after hearing the deafening blasts earlier in the evening, complied with the instructions, retreating to their homes and awaiting further updates. The absence of light amplified the tension, as families huddled together, relying on radios and government communication channels for news.
The explosions, reported around 1:09 a.m., were described by locals as powerful enough to shake homes across the city, from its northern to southern reaches. Social media posts from residents captured the immediacy of the moment, with some speculating about the involvement of military operations near the Wagah-Attari border, just 30 kilometers from Amritsar. Others reported hearing what they believed to be surface-to-air missiles launched near the airport, though no official statement corroborated these claims. The proximity of Amritsar to the border, coupled with the recent escalation of tensions following India’s military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, heightened fears of a larger conflict. The operation, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, had already led to the closure of several northern airports, including Amritsar’s, until May 10.
Emergency services were swiftly mobilized, with police and civil defense teams patrolling the city to enforce the blackout and ensure public safety. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the explosions, but investigations are underway, with forensic teams reportedly dispatched to the areas most affected. The lack of official clarity has fueled speculation, but the administration has urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely solely on government updates. Civil defense units, already on high alert due to the regional security situation, have been conducting regular training sessions to prepare for such emergencies, a fact that likely contributed to the rapid response.
The blackout and explosions come in the wake of heightened security measures across Punjab, a state that has faced multiple security challenges in recent months. In March 2025, a grenade attack on the Thakurdwara Temple in Amritsar’s Khandwala area, attributed to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), underscored the region’s vulnerability to cross-border threats. That incident, which damaged the temple’s walls and shattered windows, had already strained community relations and prompted calls for stronger law enforcement. The current situation, however, appears to be of a different magnitude, with the scale of the blackout and the intensity of the reported blasts suggesting a more significant event.
For the people of Amritsar, the night of May 7 was a test of resilience. The city, known for its history of overcoming adversity, from the partition of 1947 to the turbulent 1980s, now faces a new moment of uncertainty. Residents are being asked to remain vigilant yet composed, to trust in the authorities while grappling with the unknown. The administration has promised regular updates, and emergency helplines have been activated to assist those in need. As the investigation continues, the hope is that clarity will soon replace fear, and that Amritsar’s lights will once again shine brightly, reflecting the indomitable spirit of its people.