New Delhi [India], May 9: In response to growing security threats following Pakistani drone and missile strikes in Jammu and Rajasthan, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an urgent advisory to all states and Union Territories (UTs) to invoke Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, and strengthen civil defence infrastructure.
The advisory emphasizes the states’ legal powers under the Civil Defence Act and Rules of 1968 to take all necessary steps to protect civilians, safeguard infrastructure, and maintain essential services during hostile attacks. The letter also enables emergency use of local authority funds for defence measures, which take priority over all other local financial commitments.
States have been requested to grant emergency procurement powers to their Directors of Civil Defence, ensuring swift response capabilities during emergencies.
“In the current hostile scenario… priority shall be given to such compliance over all other duties and obligations of the local authority,” the MHA letter states.
The directive follows coordinated cross-border attacks by Pakistan on the night of May 8, which were largely repelled by India’s S-400 and Akash air defence systems, as per defence officials.
The attacks are believed to be retaliation for India’s Operation Sindoor, a preemptive strike earlier this week on nine terror camps in Pakistan, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians.
Amid rising tensions, the Centre has urged state-level preparedness to prevent and mitigate casualties and infrastructure damage, stressing the importance of civil defence readiness across the country.