Tourists fled the city by road as the airport was closed.
“We really wanted to stay but the loud sounds, sirens, and blackouts are giving us sleepless nights. Our families back home are worried for us so we have booked a cab and are leaving,” said a British national who did not want to be named.
Schools and coaching centres were closed in the Bikaner region of India’s desert state of Rajasthan, and residents near the Pakistan border said they were asked to move further away and consider moving in with relatives or using accommodation arranged by the government.
Further south in Bhuj in Gujarat, authorities said tourist buses had been kept on standby in case they needed to evacuate people near the Pakistan border.
India’s Directorate General of Shipping directed all ports, terminals and shipyards to increase security, amid “growing concerns regarding potential threats”.
Indian shares fell for a second straight session on Friday, losing about US$83 billion in market value, with both key stock indexes losing 1.1 per cent.
Pakistan’s benchmark share index closed 3.52 per cent higher with traders crediting a fall off in violence in Pakistani territory after Thursday’s clashes.
