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First Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Borders sealed, airports shut: How border states are prepping as India, Pakistan tensions escalate
As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, three border states—Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab—have been placed on high alert. Jammu and Kashmir authorities are also carrying out evacuations at border villages, bracing for any potential escalation. Here's what is happening read more Locals from different areas along the India-Pakistan border being brought to a temporary camp at Mishriwala area, as part of evacuation in the wake of Operation Sindoor, in Jammu district, Thursday, May 8, 2025. PTI A day after India launched its precision missile strikes under Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, at least three border states—Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab—have been placed on high alert. The local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are also stepping up preparations and running evacuation measures in their border villages, bracing for any potential escalation in tensions. Catch all the live updates from here India's missile strikes on May 7 were a direct response to the horrific terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam two weeks ago, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In the wee hours, India hit nine terror strongholds linked to Pakistan-based groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's how India's border states are preparing on the ground. Jammu & Kashmir In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has intensified its cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), prompting the local authorities to activate a range of safety measures to protect civilians living in high-risk areas. Hundreds of residents from villages situated near the LoC and International Border (IB) have been moved to safer locations, as the threat of continued shelling looms large. More from Explainers Neutralising Pak missiles and air defence system: How India is stopping a retaliatory attack 'Though there was no cross-border firing in our village, we have been told to shift to ITI College in R S Pura where necessary arrangements have been made by the government for our lodgment in view of the prevailing tense situation,' Liaqat Ali, a resident of Jorian village near the IB, told PTI. Locals from different areas along the India-Pakistan border being brought to a temporary camp at Mishriwala area, as part of evacuation in the wake of Operation Sindoor, in Jammu district, Thursday, May 8, 2025. PTI Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Army launched heavy artillery and mortar shelling on forward villages in Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region, and in Baramulla and Kupwara in north Kashmir. The deadly assault killed 16 people, including three women and five children, and left over 50 others injured. In Uri and Tangdhar sectors, locals reported some of the heaviest shelling in recent times. 'We have shifted to the underground bunkers, but this is the heaviest shelling here in recent years,' a resident of Tangdhar told The Indian Express. In several other locations, including Gagrian and nearby villages in the Akhnoor sector, authorities have urged people to relocate to safer areas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But in severely hit regions like Poonch, many families took the initiative to leave on their own. 'We had a sleepless night… I was waiting for the shelling to stop to shift my family of six to a relative's house,' said Mohd Arshid, a resident of the worst-hit Mankote village, speaking to PTI. Punjab Punjab was among the first states to swing into action following India's strikes, stepping up security and preparedness across all border districts. The state shares a 532-kilometre-long border with Pakistan. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cancelled all official engagements as a precautionary measure, signalling the seriousness of the situation. All border areas in the state have been placed on high alert. Meanwhile, the Punjab Police has also been placed on high alert, and all leaves for its officers and employees have been cancelled, citing 'administrative reasons'. According to officials quoted by the Times of India, coordination with the Indian Army is already underway to ensure a swift and organised response in case of further escalation. The Amritsar district administration again carried out a blackout rehearsal in the early hours of Thursday. PTI In Punjab, mock drills simulating emergency scenarios, like fire emergencies, and rescue operations were performed in Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala and Mohali. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rajasthan In Rajasthan, which shares a 1,037-kilometre-long border with Pakistan, authorities have rolled out wide-ranging precautionary measures. Airports in Kishangarh and Jodhpur have been shut till May 10, while the Border Security Force has intensified patrols. Air defence units have also been activated across the region. The Indian Air Force also remains on high alert, with Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets carrying out aerial patrols over the western sector. According to a report by The Times of India, missile defence and anti-drone systems along the border are fully operational. Border Security Force (BSF) jawans patrol along the India-Pakistan International Border. File image/PTI In districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, all schools, anganwadis, and coaching centres have been shut until further notice. Exams scheduled for May 8 have been postponed, and government employees have been instructed to stay at their posts and cancel any leave. To ensure secrecy and security, rare blackout orders were issued in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, with lights turned off from midnight to 4 am, as reported by NDTV. Meanwhile, state-run hospitals have been told to stock up on blood and emergency medicines, fuel stations have been asked to maintain reserves, and evacuation plans have been readied for vulnerable border villages. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials have also been issued orders to curb misinformation and prevent the hoarding of essential supplies. Gujarat Tensions ran high in Gujarat as the state activated a series of security measures along its 508-kilometre-long border with Pakistan. Civilian flights from Bhuj and Rajkot airports were suspended for three days, with both airports now exclusively handling military aircraft. The decision followed a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued early Wednesday. Security forces ramped up patrolling and surveillance across the state's coastal and border areas, with Jamnagar emerging as a key focus. Special Operations Group (SOG) teams, Marine Police units, and Task Force commandos were deployed to monitor and secure vulnerable zones, reported TOI. With military drills in progress across the country and airspace limitations in place, multiple commercial flights faced disruption. The heightened alert extended to railway stations as well. At Ahmedabad station, Quick Reaction Teams, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Government Railway Police (GRP) carried out joint security sweeps. Baggage checks were tightened, and access points were brought under close surveillance. With input from agencies
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
J-K border residents shifted to safer zones amid Pak shelling
JAMMU: Hundreds of residents along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) here were evacuated to safer zones on Wednesday as authorities chalked out countermeasures to safeguard civilians from Pakistani shelling. As many as 12 people, including four children and two women, were killed and over 50 injured when the Pakistan army pounded forward villages in Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region and Baramulla and Kupwara in north Kashmir with artillery and mortar shelling earlier during the day. The shelling from across the border started shortly after Indian armed forces carried out missile attacks on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to avenge the April 22 terror attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam that had left 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead. "Though there was no cross-border firing in our village, we have been told to shift to ITI College in R S Pura where necessary arrangements have been made by the government for our lodgment in view of the prevailing tense situation," Liaqat Ali, a resident of Jorian village near the IB, told PTI. Ali said the village had suffered immensely and had even been burned to the ground in the past by Pakistani shelling.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Four Pakistanis among 11 dead as migrant boat sinks off Libyan coast
Listen to article At least 11 people have died after a migrant boat capsized near Libya's eastern coast, with four Pakistani nationals confirmed among the victims, according to the Pakistani embassy in Libya. The tragic incident occurred on April 12 near the Harawa coast, close to the city of Sirte, as reported in an official communiqué sent by the embassy to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rescue teams have so far recovered 11 bodies from the sea. A team from the Pakistani embassy visited Sirte and confirmed the identities of the four deceased Pakistanis using national identification documents. According to the report, three of the deceased hailed from Mandi Bahauddin, while one was from Gujranwala. The identified victims are: Zahid Mahmood, son of Liaqat Ali (Gujranwala) Sameer Ali, son of Raja Abdul Qadeer (Mandi Bahauddin) Syed Ali Hussain, son of Shafqat-ul-Hussnain (Mandi Bahauddin) Asif Ali, son of Nazar Muhammad (Mandi Bahauddin) Two additional bodies remain unidentified, while five others have been confirmed as Egyptian nationals. The Pakistani embassy remains in contact with local Libyan authorities to gather further details and assist in the identification process. Officials fear the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
