India, May 8 -- As tensions between India and Pakistan continued to escalate on Thursday, Punjab's strategic border district of Gurdaspur has been put under complete night-time blackout from tonight.

In a significant civilian precautionary measure, the first in the state since the cross-border escalation after Operation Sindoor was launched against Pakistani terror targets on May 7, the Gurdaspur deputy commissioner issued a notice announcing a complete blackout would be observed across the district from 9pm to 5am daily until further notice.

Hospitals and the central jail are exempt from the blackout but they must ensure windows and doors remain closed to prevent light leakage, the notice said.

The directive urged all residents and co...