After Pakistan attempted to engage military targets in northern and western India, including sites in Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat, these border states Thursday took precautionary measures, including increasing patrolling at the borders, preparing evacuation plans, and cancelling leaves of police personnel.
In Punjab, which shares a 553-km border with Pakistan, seven police districts have been asked to maintain strict vigil along the border. The state police and administration are maintaining close coordination with the Border Security Force and Army, a government official told The Indian Express.
Border villages have been put on high alert, and evacuation plans have been put in place in case of an emergency. Mock drills have been conducted in several areas.
The Punjab Police cancelled the leave of all its personnel until further notice and told those on leave to report back to work. The health department has also cancelled the leaves of all its officials and doctors.
In the border district of Gurdaspur, the government has ordered blackouts to be effected from 10 pm to 5 am every day until further orders.
Several locations have been identified to be used as shelters in the event of an attack, a government official said. “As always, gurdwaras will come to the rescue of evacuees, if needed. They also serve langar. We have not ordered the evacuation of any border village yet, but we are prepared in case the need arises. Other shelters have also been identified. We will set up temporary camps also if needed,” the official said.
A locality in Mohali on Thursday night. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)
In Rajasthan, the various measures taken by the government to prepare for any eventuality include shutting schools, conducting mock drills, cancelling flights, preparing evacuation plans, monitoring social media, ensuring availability of medicines and doctors, and cancelling leaves. Officials are also keeping a close eye on the 1,037-km International Border.
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On Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said “anti-national forces may try to disturb the communal harmony in the state” and directed police to take immediate action against those spreading rumours.
Sharma said the availability of adequate medicines, oxygen and ambulances should be ensured in the hospitals, apart from necessary human resources, including doctors, and equipment. He also directed officials to ensure the availability of water, electricity and other essential resources and to ensure that essential services keep running smoothly. He told officials that effective security arrangements should be ensured, and gave instructions regarding cancelling the leave of police personnel and making it mandatory for them to remain present at district headquarters.
The IAF is also conducting large-scale military drills along the International Border with Pakistan, as per a Notice to Airmen issued Tuesday. The drills, which began on Wednesday, will conclude at 3 am on Friday.
A vehicle moves on a road during blackout amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, in Kutch district, Gujarat, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Local administrations in border districts are taking precautions, including shutting down schools until further orders.
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Gujarat, the only state that shares both a land and sea border with Pakistan, has also put a number of measures in place.
Ever since the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the district of Kutch, which has the longest border with Pakistan, has seen intensified joint patrolling by BSF and police.
Along the western seaboard of Gujarat, police personnel in various districts have begun detailed documentation checks on boats, their owners and fishermen. Random checks of boats’ cargo holds are also being done. Fishermen’s leaders have been asked to immediately report any suspicious activity.
Deputy Inspector General of the Marine Task Force, R T Sushra, said: “The MTF are deputed in the 12 vital locations on the coastal areas across the state in Saurashtra, Kutch and South Gujarat.”