11052025-CT-01.qxd 5/11/2025 12:14 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune IED RECOVERED FROM GANGSTERS DEFUSED 3 NAYAGAON RESIDENTS HELD IN SNATCHING CASE SINGER SHREYA GHOSHAL'S CONCERT PUT ON HOLD IED recovered during a counter-terror operation in Sector 39 defused by a bomb squad of Army. P3 They robbed Lavish Kumar from Mani Majra of his phone and ~200 cash near the EWS light point. P3 Top Bollywood singer was supposed to perform during her concert in Mumbai on Saturday. P6 » » PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 37°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 36.6°C | MIN 24.2°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.06 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.32 AM » SUNDAY | 11 MAY 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Admns lift all curbs, but uneasy calm across tricity Chd & vicinity on Pak radar, drone attacks on key installations foiled by armed forces over past few days Markets to remain open as usual Tribune News Service Nitin Jain SITUATION UNDER CONTROL: ADMNS Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 10 The ceasefire between India and Pakistan has brought a much-needed respite to the residents. With the respective administrations lifting all curfew-like restrictions imposed in the tricity amid heightened tensions with Pakistan, normalcy returned to Chandigarh and its satellite towns of Mohali and Panchkula in the evening. However, an uneasy calm prevailed in the region with reports of “ceasefire violations” late in the evening. No sooner did the news of India and Pakistan agreeing to end the ongoing conflict spread like a wildfire, normalcy was seen returning to all parts of the tricity region. The panic buying, which was witnessed for the past two days, came to an end. The grocery stores, supermarkets and fuel stations saw a significant dip in the footfall. Ever since India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK in the early hours of May 7 under Operation Sindoor to avenge the massacre of 26 people in Pahalgam, Chandigarh and its vicinity had remained on the neighbouring country’s radar, official sources told The Tribune on Saturday. The sources said Chandigarh and its periphery areas comprising Mohali and Panchkula, which house several vital defence and civil installations, were the targets of Pakistan’s “provocative” action using drones, longrange weapons and fighter jets. All these attempts, however, were foiled by the timely and effective “preventive” Situation is completely under control. The public should not panic and ignore rumours but remain vigilant. We are watching the evolving situation closely and precautionary measures, if needed, will be taken accordingly. As of now, no restrictions are in place, said the UT Administration. Similarly, Mohali and Panchkula district administrations have also claimed that the situation was normal and there was no need to panic. No fresh orders for restrictions were issued till the filing of the report. SCHOOLS TO REOPEN FROM TUESDAY All schools, colleges, coaching centres and other educational institutions, which were shut since Friday, will reopen as per routine timings in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula from Tuesday. People enjoy the evening at the Sector 17 Plaza in Chandigarh on Saturday after the Administration lifted all restrictions. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR action jointly taken by the defence and security forces. “All such provocative attempts made by Pakistan to target defence and civil installations and civilians as well in this part of the region have been successfully countered by ensuring zero damage to any of the targeted infrastructure or civilians,” a top functionary privy to the development said. He said as the two countries teetered on the brink of a fullscale war with Pakistan moving its troops into forward areas, indicating an “offensive intent”, the defence and civil administrations worked in complete coordination and remained in a high state of operational readiness. ENDING CONFLICT A WELCOME STEP: GUV KATARIA ❝ The end of conflict is always a welcome step but our defence forces and civil administrations remained completely coordinated and fully operation-ready during the past few days, which were critical. We did not let the enemy cause any damage to either our infrastructure or people in this part of the region. Our civil defence enrolment drive turned out to be a big hit with over 3,000 volunteers coming forward to protect the motherland this morning. — GULAB CHAND KATARIA, PUNJAB GOVERNOR-CUM-UT ADMINISTRATOR ❞ “We have been keeping all our available resources ready for countering the enemy’s attack and ensuring the safety and security of our infrastructure and people in future as well,” the functionary disclosed. In the wee hours of Saturday and on Friday morning, the Chandigarh Administration had received air warning from the Air Force station of possible attacks, following which sirens were sounded to alert the residents. Unequivocally rejecting the false narratives being spread by Pakistan, Indian Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, earlier in the day, categorically denied the neighbouring country’s malicious misinformation campaign claiming the destruction of the S400 system at Adampur, airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa, BrahMos base at Nagrota, artillery gun positions at Dehrangyari and Chandigarh Forward Ammunition Depot. The officer also showed some images of the IAF bases in the Punjab and Rajasthan PGI sees 20% hike in blood donations Sheetal Tribune News Service WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 34, 37, Dadu Majra Mohali: Sector 62 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com Chandigarh, May 10 The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) reported a 15–20 per cent rise in local blood donations, following its recent appeal for emergency preparedness. Expressing gratitude to the public, Department of Transfusion Medicine Head Rati Ram Sharma said, “As an impact of media support, we have received an overwhelming response, with local donations increasing by 15 to 20 per cent — a truly impressive achievement.” “I am hopeful this momentum will continue to grow, symbolising our collective support and solidarity with our armed forces,” he added. The institute’s emergency response, which included the dispatch of five ambulances to AIIMS Vijaypur in Jammu and the organisation of multiple blood donation drives, has seen a positive response. The efforts are part of a broader preparedness strategy aimed at ensuring immediate and adequate medical support in high-risk zones. Across the various donation camps listed by PGIMER — including sites at schools, malls, gurdwaras, and universities — hundreds of citizens from all walks of life have come forward to contribute. Particularly crucial are donations from O negative blood group donors, whose universal compatibility makes their contribution vital in emergencies. The response has not only bolstered local reserves but also reflected a larger message of national unity. “Together, we stand united in backing those who serve and protect us,” said Sharma, Patriotic zeal adding, “Each drop of blood donated is a rejection of fear, a sign of hope, and a powerful symbol of civic strength.” The PGIMER blood donation campaign continues across multiple venues, with strict adherence to health and safety protocols. Officials are urging eligible donors — healthy individuals aged 18–65 with haemoglobin levels of 12g/dl and above — to step forward. Donors are advised to avoid alcohol and smoking for 48 hours prior to donating, and those with recent surgeries or infections are discouraged from participating. Dakshin Marg partly closed for 10 days Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 10 The UT Administration has decided to close one side of the Dakshin Marg for repair work for the next 10 days. Road repair work to start today According to administrative officials, the Dakshin Marg stretch between Sectors 25 and 38 (towards Sector 38 side) will remain closed for the next 10 days for repairs. The work will be carried out by the UT Engineering Department from May 11 to 20, they said. Youth raise patriotic slogans at a civil defence training camp in Tiranga Park, Chandigarh, on Saturday. RAVI KUMAR PAGE 3 c m y b sectors, debunking the Pakistan claims of causing destruction at these facilities. “You can also see the normalcy at these air force stations,” she said, while confirming that Pakistan attempted multiple air intrusions using drones. Having the Army Western Command headquarters at Chandimandir and the IAF base at Mullanpur, which is part of the Western Air Command and houses No. 2224 Squadron Agni Baan (responsible for operating SA-3 Pechora surface-to-air missile systems), Chandigarh region was on Pakistan’s radar for obvious reasons, said the sources. Continued on page 4 PU EXAMS AS PER SCHEDULE Panjab University, which on Friday postponed the scheduled semester and entrance exams , on Saturday announced that the semester examinations will be conducted from May 13, as per the already notified schedule. CET (UG) ON MONDAY The CET (UG) entrance exam, which was earlier scheduled for May 11, will be conducted on May 12, at the examination centres notified earlier. Chandigarh, May 10 The UT Administration has withdrawn the earlier request for the voluntary closure of shops and other establishments in the city. All shops and establishments are now permitted to operate as usual, said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav. Earlier, the DC, along with SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, held a special media briefing. He extended his gratitude to residents for their cooperation during the voluntary blackout observed after 7 pm yesterday in the city. As there was no immediate threat or air raid warning, the DC had requested the residents to voluntarily remain indoors after 9 pm. Similarly, all commercial establishments including shops, malls, clubs, hotels and restaurants were urged to close by 9 pm on a voluntary basis. He advised the public not to panic and warned of strict action against anyone found hoarding or exploiting the situation by profiting from essential goods. However, this request for the voluntary closure of shops was withdrawn later as the news of ceasefire between Indian and Pakistan reached the Administration. Earlier in the day, the Sector 26 mandi witnessed a huge rush of people who were on a buying spree in anticipation of a full-scale war with Pakistan. Aman Kumar, a resident of Sector 29, said he had come to purchase potatoes and onions for at least a month if a war breaks out with Pakistan. Continued on page 4