MUZAFFARABAD, June 1: A power blackout was observed in most parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday night amid mounting tension with India along the Line of Control.

Official sources said the power supply to Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli and Bhimbher districts was disconnected from the national grid stations at 11:30pm on Friday without any prior intimation or warning that gave rise to fears among the residents that India could launch air raids.

The administration officials remained on the roads to check that no one should use generators to light the houses or other establishments.

In Muzaffarabad, the power supply through generators to the VIP area, housing the presidency and the prime minister’s house, was also disconnected.

Several people thought it was a power breakdown, as they were not informed in advance of any such drill.

Interestingly, the guests at a wedding ceremony had to take food in the light of candles, after the police and military jawans reached there and asked them to switch off the generator.

Power supply was restored at 5:30am on Saturday.

When contacted, a civil defence official said it was a civil defence drill, held to prepare the people to meet any emergency.