India-Pakistan ceasefire in place, but Punjab’s border districts yet to see normalcy

Trade through the Integrated Check Post at Attari with Afghanistan was also suspended following the Pahalgam terror attack.

3 min readChandigarhMay 12, 2025 09:23 AM IST

A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier stands guard near India-Pakistan border check post, near Amritsar, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (PTI Photo)

All restrictive orders imposed within the Amritsar district after Operation Sindoor, except the restriction on civilian drone flying, were withdrawn shortly after the ceasefire was announced on Saturday.

However, normalcy was yet to return to the border districts. The airport and the international border, two of the city’s important commercial hubs, will remain closed. So far, there was no official word from the government on when they will reopen.

Maintaining that blackouts are implemented for public safety, the Amritsar administration said Sunday if there is any signal or indication of danger, a blackout will be enforced. Even so, people are advised to keep lights to a minimum during the night.

In case of a blackout, all residents are requested to cooperate by turning off all forms of lighting, just as they did in recent days. During such times, people must stay indoors and not panic.

The sense of normalcy cannot return until blackout continues, said Saurav Sharma, a citizen. The violation of the ceasefire on Saturday added to uncertainty in the border districts.

Dr Ajay Gupta, MLA from the Central Assembly constituency, visited Motibazaar and Katra Ahluwalia markets within his constituency. Dr Gupta said he met shopkeepers to boost their morale and assured them that there is no reason to panic due to the current India-Pakistan situation.

He affirmed that the Indian Army is fully capable and that all missiles and drones being sent from Pakistan are being destroyed mid-air by our forces.

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He said that traders will not be allowed to face any difficulties and that shopkeepers in the market are continuing business as usual.

However, shops are unlikely to receive regular footfall until full normalcy returns to the city and other border districts.

Punjab State Vyapar Mandal general secretary Sameer Jain said, “There was definitely an impact of the current situation between India and Pakistan on the market. Almost all businesses shut down immediately. Only the retail sector was functioning, as people were hoarding. Otherwise, all other types of businesses were affected. There is still uncertainty because violations occurred soon after the ceasefire was announced. So now, we will have to see how people behave tomorrow when the markets reopen.”

The city’s tourism industry has already been impacted, with hotel occupancy down by 90%.
One major source of livelihood for many involved in the tourism sector was taking tourists to the Wagah border. There is currently no indication of when the retreat ceremony will resume.

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Also Read | Calm returns to frontiers after days of cross-border shelling, drones from Pakistan

Trade through the Integrated Check Post at Attari with Afghanistan was also suspended following the Pahalgam terror attack. Under the current circumstances, there appears to be little hope for its resumption in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs is being urged to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in Gurdaspur district.

While releasing a statement, Amritsar Vikas Manch said, “Now that a ceasefire is in place, the request for opening Kartarpur Sahib Corridor must be honuored without further delay.”

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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