A Journey Through Silence: Blackout Near the Border Amid Rising Tensions
Date: 10th May 2025
By: Farin Khatoon
On the evening of May 9th, I found myself in Shahpur, a serene and picturesque town just two hours from the Pathankot border. What should have been another tranquil night in the mountains turned unexpectedly heavy — the kind of night that leaves its impression etched deep into memory.
The serenity of Shahpur was interrupted by the muffled but distinct sounds echoing from across the border — sounds no civilian wants to grow familiar with. The ongoing tension had reached a point where those sounds felt much too close. As night approached, the hills around us fell into an eerie silence, not the peaceful kind we crave but the anxious quiet before — or perhaps during — a storm. Blackout followed. The lights that usually bring warmth to these landscapes disappeared, leaving only shadows behind.
I was on my way back from Dharamshala to Delhi on May 10th, hoping for a normal journey through familiar towns. But this time, the route I had loved for its life and beauty felt dramatically different. The journey took us through Chandigarh, usually a city alive with light, noise, and energy. But not this time. Every big mall, every shiny building, every bustling corner that once symbolized joy and modernity was engulfed in silence and darkness.
The entire stretch — so often celebrated for its vibrancy — was quiet. No glowing signboards, no crowd-filled eateries, no honking — just a long ribbon of dark road. It was hauntingly beautiful and deeply unsettling.
As my bus rolled on through the silent night, I couldn’t help but think about the brave hearts of our nation — the Indian Army, standing alert and unflinching on the front lines, ensuring people like me could move safely from place to place, even in such uncertain times. While we sleep, they stand awake. While we fear, they stay strong. It was because of their tireless courage and commitment that I reached home safely.
This journey wasn’t just a return to Delhi. It was a reminder. A reminder of how closely peace walks with conflict in border regions. A reminder that behind every peaceful day we enjoy, there are soldiers making silent sacrifices. And a reminder of the unpredictable fragility of life.
A heartfelt salute to every jawan of the Indian Army.
May peace return, and may the hills echo only with laughter, not war.
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