MHA Urges Emergency Civil Defence Measures After Pakistan's Coordinated Attacks

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and Union Territories (UTs) to fortify civil defence measures in accordance with the Civil Defence Act and Rules of 1968 in light of rising tensions and the possibility of hostile actions.

The MHA stressed the significance of Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968 in a letter headed "Augmentation of Civil Defence Measures in the States/UTs," In the case of hostile assaults, the clause gives state governments the authority to take all necessary steps to safeguard infrastructure and people while maintaining the uninterrupted provision of essential services.

Following recent drone and missile assaults by Pakistan on the evening of May 8, which targeted districts in Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir, including the Jammu and Jaisalmer areas, the notification was issued. Most of these threats were intercepted by Indian air defence systems, such as the S-400, preventing significant damage.

The Ministry noted that Section 11 also permits the use of funds from local authorities to support emergency civil defence activities, highlighting the gravity of the situation. To guarantee quick and efficient response capabilities, these monies must be given priority above all other financial obligations of local entities.

The MHA letter said, "In the current hostile attack scenario, I would like to draw your kind attention to Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, which among other things provides the State Governments with the authority to take such measures, which in the State Government's opinion are necessary for the protection of persons and property from injury or damage, or for ensuring the due maintenance of vital services in the event of a hostile attack."

Additionally, it said that "priority shall be given to such compliance over all other duties and obligations of the local authority, and the funds of the local authority shall be applicable to the payment of the charges and expenses incidental to such compliance."

In particular, the Ministry has asked all states and UTs to use Section 11 and give their respective Directors of Civil Defence emergency procurement authority. The goal of this action is to expedite the deployment of safety measures in impacted and susceptible areas.

In order to lessen the impact of such threats, officials emphasised the significance of prompt action and readiness at the state and municipal levels.

The push to bolster civil defence readiness follows Pakistan's coordinated attack along India's western border on Thursday night. According to Indian defence sources, the offensive, which included both drones and missiles, was carried out in retaliation for India's recent "Operation Sindoor"-a precision military strike on terrorist camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, conducted in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.

The intensifying hostilities have raised serious concerns, with both India and Pakistan accusing each other of airspace violations and aggression, further heightening tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.