Sirens, Drones and Blackouts: Tense 24 Hours in Rajasthan’s Barmer Amid India-Pakistan Ceasefire Drama

GG News Bureau 

Barmer, Rajasthan 11th May  – In a harrowing 24-hour period between Friday night and Saturday evening, residents of Rajasthan’s Barmer and Jaisalmer districts faced a tense sequence of sirens, blackouts, and red alerts as Pakistani drones were reportedly spotted across 26 Indian locations.

The unsettling night began with loud explosions in Barmer, triggering an immediate power blackout and military red alert across the border district. The sirens fell silent by 6 am on Saturday, leading to a brief return to normalcy. Shops reopened, and the market area saw usual footfall.

However, by 10:15 am, sirens blared again, sending people scrambling indoors.  police were on loudspeakers. For four hours, the town stayed on edge as the red alert remained in effect.

At around 5 pm, a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was announced, reportedly halting cross-border firing. Residents began stepping out cautiously.

But the brief calm was shattered once again at 8:30 pm, when another urgent blackout and sirens were announced by District Magistrate Tina Dabi. “URGENT ALERT. INCOMING AIR RAID. Urgent blackout to be observed in the district,” her message read.

While the sirens eventually subsided, the blackout was expected to continue through the night, creating a haunting silence across the region. Security personnel patrolled key roads, and movement remained restricted.

The tense atmosphere triggered an exodus of migrant workers. Train services also faced disruption, with four trains cancelled and only one departing post-4 pm.

Despite the panic, Barmer SP Narendra Singh Meena reassured citizens. “There’s enough transport, and more buses will be arranged if needed. The situation is under control,” he stated.

With fears of cross-border escalation still fresh and sirens breaking the calm without warning, Barmer residents are now caught in a cycle of fear and fleeting relief. While official agencies maintain calm, public anxiety lingers — and the border remains on high alert.