Srinagar: It was an unusual weekend in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, one that began with loud blasts at 5:45 am and ended with another volley of explosions around 8:45 pm. And then came another long, sleepless night.
Almost everyone in this city, straddling the Jhelum, had been restless for days as tensions flared along the borders. Fear and uncertainty hung heavy in the air. "This is not what we've seen in the past 35 years. This is like 1965, when we heard sirens and blasts in Srinagar," said Abdul Razak, 78, a resident of downtown.
The city was jolted awake early Saturday by a series of blasts between 5:45 and 6:15 am, followed by more around noon. Officials later said unknown projectiles had landed in three areas, including near Srinagar airport. A tense calm prevailed through the day. Schools and colleges have been shut until May 12, and airports in both Srinagar and Jammu will remain closed at least until May 14. The road to the airport was sealed for several hours. "We're trying to trace the debris of the projectiles," said a trooper posted near the airport.
Public transport was scarce, and the usually busy Boulevard along Dal Lake looked deserted. "These empty streets feel ominous. Something bad is coming," said Khusheed Ahmad Kar, walking by the lake. His words turned prophetic. At around 8:50 pm, multiple explosions again rocked the city for nearly 40 minutes. It felt like Srinagar was under attack.
Residents saw flying projectiles light up the night sky. "Our house shook with every blast. Red lights streaked across the air. We've never seen this," said Ghulam Mustafa, 75, from Sonwar, close to the Army's Chinar Corps headquarters and just 2 km from Lal Chowk, where projectiles were also spotted.
Panic spread fast. Phone lines buzzed. Power was shut across the city. In some homes, women and children wept. Cars pulled over as people sought shelter. Only after 9:30 pm did movement resume. "We heard the blast at 5:45 am and saw two projectiles in our uncle's lawn. Police later took them away," said a resident of Lasjan, on the city's outskirts. Two more were found in Dal Lake.
As the tension in Srinagar's skies escalated, the administration arranged safe passage for non-local students and tourists via the reopened highway, recently cleared after landslides. The J&K government has assured readiness for any eventuality. Essential supplies are stocked and hospitals are on emergency footing.
( Originally published on May 10, 2025 )
Almost everyone in this city, straddling the Jhelum, had been restless for days as tensions flared along the borders. Fear and uncertainty hung heavy in the air. "This is not what we've seen in the past 35 years. This is like 1965, when we heard sirens and blasts in Srinagar," said Abdul Razak, 78, a resident of downtown.
The city was jolted awake early Saturday by a series of blasts between 5:45 and 6:15 am, followed by more around noon. Officials later said unknown projectiles had landed in three areas, including near Srinagar airport. A tense calm prevailed through the day. Schools and colleges have been shut until May 12, and airports in both Srinagar and Jammu will remain closed at least until May 14. The road to the airport was sealed for several hours. "We're trying to trace the debris of the projectiles," said a trooper posted near the airport.
Public transport was scarce, and the usually busy Boulevard along Dal Lake looked deserted. "These empty streets feel ominous. Something bad is coming," said Khusheed Ahmad Kar, walking by the lake. His words turned prophetic. At around 8:50 pm, multiple explosions again rocked the city for nearly 40 minutes. It felt like Srinagar was under attack.
Residents saw flying projectiles light up the night sky. "Our house shook with every blast. Red lights streaked across the air. We've never seen this," said Ghulam Mustafa, 75, from Sonwar, close to the Army's Chinar Corps headquarters and just 2 km from Lal Chowk, where projectiles were also spotted.
Panic spread fast. Phone lines buzzed. Power was shut across the city. In some homes, women and children wept. Cars pulled over as people sought shelter. Only after 9:30 pm did movement resume. "We heard the blast at 5:45 am and saw two projectiles in our uncle's lawn. Police later took them away," said a resident of Lasjan, on the city's outskirts. Two more were found in Dal Lake.
As the tension in Srinagar's skies escalated, the administration arranged safe passage for non-local students and tourists via the reopened highway, recently cleared after landslides. The J&K government has assured readiness for any eventuality. Essential supplies are stocked and hospitals are on emergency footing.
( Originally published on May 10, 2025 )
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