3 military targets in Rajasthan on Pakistan's radar last night, how is the state preparing?

Indian Express

08-05-2025

Post India's Operation Sindoor, Pakistan on the night of May 7-8 attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India, using drones and missiles, including three locations in Rajasthan, the Indian government has said.
These are Nal in Bikaner, Phalodi, and Uttarlai in Barmer. As per the Press Information Bureau, these attempts were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems, and debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations.
All three locations targeted by Pakistan in Rajasthan have Air Force Stations. Already in a state of alert since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Rajasthan is currently taking several measures to ensure its preparedness in case of any eventuality.
These include shutting schools, conducting mock drills, cancelling flights, preparing evacuation plans, monitoring social media, ensuring availability of medicines and doctors, and cancelling leaves. Top officials are also keeping a close eye on the 1,037-kilometre International Border.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who returned after a three-day BJP training camp in Gujarat, held a meeting at the CMO with top officials, including Director General of Police U R Sahoo and Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant.
Sharma said that, in view of the prevailing circumstances, 'anti-national forces may try to disturb the communal harmony in the state' and directed the police officials to take immediate action against those spreading rumours and effectively monitor social media.
While reviewing the internal security plan and disaster management of all the districts, Sharma said that 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.
Sharma told officials that effective security arrangements should be ensured at strategically important places, and gave instructions regarding cancelling the leave of police personnel and making it mandatory for them to remain present at the district headquarters.
Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant said that Wednesday's mock drill was conducted to give advance information about air raids, and to effectively follow the instructions for the rescue of victims in case of fire or damage to buildings.
Rajendra Singh Sisodia, Commandant, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), said that as part of the security and blackout exercise, 41 teams of SDRF, in collaboration with the local administration, conducted mock drills at 'sensitive/highly sensitive places' across the state. These included places in Jaipur, border districts of Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, as well as Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, Chittorgarh, Ajmer and Alwar.
On the border
Special precautions are being taken in the border districts, where Border Security Force (BSF) is keeping a watch on the ground. BSF personnel have increased their patrolling and the Indian Air Force (IAF) is monitoring the skies.
Days ago, M L Garg, Inspector General, Frontier Headquarter, BSF Rajasthan, visited the border areas and appealed to the general public against falling prey to misinformation through social media and other channels. He had reassured that the 'BSF is alert and the border areas are secure.'
The Indian Air Force is also conducting large-scale military drills along the International Border with Pakistan, as per a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued Tuesday. The drills, which began on Wednesday, will conclude at 3 am on Friday. Flights operating from airports close to the border will be suspended during this period.
All major frontline fighter jets of the IAF are participating in the drills. As evident from the overnight attempts by Pakistan, the air defence systems on the Indian side have also been active. The local administration along the border districts is also taking precautions, including shutting down schools until further orders.
In Barmer, Collector Tina Dabi cited the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to shut down all government and private schools, institutes, anganwadis and madrasas till class 12 indefinitely from Thursday onwards. Exams have also been postponed.
Jaisalmer Collector Pratap Singh, Jodhpur Collector Gaurav Agarwal, and Bikaner Collector Namrata Vrishni issued similar orders.