Amid escalating tensions and the growing threat of hostile attacks, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has called on all states and Union Territories (UTs) to strengthen their civil defence mechanisms under the Civil Defence Act and Rules of 1968. In a letter titled “Augmentation of Civil Defence Measures in the States/UTs,” the Ministry reminded the importance of Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, which empowers state governments to take all necessary steps to safeguard lives, property, and essential services in the event of a hostile attack.
The directive comes in the wake of last night’s coordinated drone and missile strikes by Pakistani forces in the Jammu and Jaisalmer regions. The Home Ministry highlighted that under Section 11, local authorities are authorized to use their funds for emergency civil defence measures, even giving these activities precedence over other financial commitments.
The MHA stressed the urgency of timely, decentralized action to mitigate potential damage and disruption. The recent cross-border attacks by Pakistan, which defense officials say were largely neutralized by India’s advanced air defence systems, including the S-400 missile system, prompted this renewed focus on civil defence preparedness.
These hostilities are believed to be in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan following the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 Indian tourists. With both countries trading accusations over airspace violations and aggression, the situation remains volatile. Calls for de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue continue to grow amid fears of further conflict.
(With inputs from ANI)