The escalation between India and Pakistan aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack, for the first time since 1971, air raid sirens will pierce the skies across Indian cities on May 7, 2025. (More Cricket News)
These sirens, part of nationwide civil defence mock drills, have been ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the wake of escalating tensions with Pakistan following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The drills are aimed at preparing civilians, students, and institutions for a potential war scenario, reflecting an unprecedented civil mobilisation effort that includes training in crash blackouts, evacuation rehearsals, and camouflaging critical installations.
According to the MHA's May 5 directive, all states and union territories must activate air raid warning systems, test radio communication links with the Indian Air Force, and operationalise both control rooms and civil defence units.
A total of 244 civil districts are taking part in the mock drill, as per the reports. Senior officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Railway Board, and Air Defence will also join the meeting.
The move marks a dramatic shift in domestic preparedness strategies, signalling how seriously the Centre is treating the Pahalgam incident that killed 26 people and left dozens injured.
But the security response hasn’t remained confined to the ground. In a digital crackdown that mirrors the severity of the physical one, India has also restricted Instagram access to top Pakistani cricketers and celebrities, including i Mohammad Rizwan, and Wasim Akram.
Even the account of former Prime Minister and ex-captain Imran Khan has been blocked in India. A message displayed on these profiles now reads: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
The move is aimed at halting the spread of misinformation and anti-India rhetoric, officials said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan라이브 바카라 Olympic star Arshad Nadeem and several Pakistani YouTube channels — including those of Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, and Shahid Afridi — have also been blocked for alleged dissemination of provocative and communally sensitive content.
Earlier, Nadeem declined Neeraj Chopra's invitation to compete in the NC Classic javelin event in Bengaluru on May 24 as that will clash with his training schedule for the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships.
On the water front, India has significantly tightened the screws by initiating operations to reduce water flow into Pakistan via key hydroelectric projects. De-silting and sluice gate operations at the Baglihar Dam have reportedly reduced downstream flow to Pakistan by nearly 90%.
The government is planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam in north Kashmir, a move that experts say could have long-term strategic and environmental impacts on both sides of the border.
The reduction of water flow is seen as a pressure tactic under the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty, though India maintains all actions are within legal limits.
These developments come just as the IPL caravan rolls into Kolkata for a key match on May 7 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings— the same day as the nationwide air raid mock drill.
In light of heightened military preparedness and civil defence exercises, security in and around Eden Gardens might be increased.
However, the matches will proceed as scheduled but future matches — particularly those in sensitive zones or on days of national drills — could face tighter restrictions, delayed entries for fans, and potentially rescheduled fixtures if the security climate demands it.
The road to the IPL 2025 final is set with the top four teams at the end of the 70-match league stage advancing to the playoffs. In case of a tie on points, Net Run Rate (NRR) will determine the rankings.
The top two sides will clash in Qualifier 1 (May 20), where the winner books a direct ticket to the final. Meanwhile, the third and fourth-placed teams will battle it out in the Eliminator (May 21), with the loser exiting the tournament. The loser of Qualifier 1 will then face the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 (May 23) for the second spot in the final (May 25), which is scheduled to be held in Kolkata.
