Chandigarh: In response to Pakistan's aerial aggression on Jammu and ongoing cross-border shelling, Indian border states including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal have declared a high alert, triggering school closures, blackouts, and mass leave cancellations for police and health personnel.

The emergency measures were triggered after India launched Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory military campaign targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was conducted following the 22 April Pahalgam massacre in which 26 people—mostly tourists—were gunned down in a terrorist attack.

Jammu under siege

Jammu came under direct attack on Thursday with multiple Pakistani drones and suspected missile strikes reported over Akhnoor and other sectors. Air raid sirens blared through the night, and the city faced a total blackout. Security sources reported explosions near the Jammu airport, which was targeted by Pakistani forces. Indian armed forces responded with active counter-measures to neutralise the threat.

Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan on war footing

Punjab, which shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, has imposed strict surveillance and blackout measures along its frontier districts.

Haryana cancelled all leaves for health and police department employees. Officers must remain at their headquarters and can only go on leave with prior approval from state-level authorities. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has suspended all political engagements, and Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said the decision was taken to ensure readiness for any emergency.

In Rajasthan, schools have been shut in five border districts—Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. Flight operations at Bikaner, Kishangarh (Ajmer), and Jodhpur airports have been suspended till May 10. Night blackouts are being enforced in Barmer (9 pm to 4 am) and Jodhpur (12.30 am to 4 am) to protect critical infrastructure. District administrations are on high alert, with orders to keep hospitals, shelters, and blood banks ready for emergencies.

The Rajasthan government also cancelled all leaves for frontline personnel including medical, nursing, and paramedical staff. Police and district officials have been instructed to remain in their stations and enforce disaster management protocols.

Wider fallout

West Bengal and Gujarat have also declared high alerts, particularly in districts with sensitive border regions. The Indian Ministry of Defence is expected to release a formal statement shortly.

As the situation escalates, concerns grow about a prolonged conflict in the region, with Operation Sindoor drawing parallels to historic cross-border military responses by India to terror attacks.