Officials highlighted the importance of swift action and preparedness at the state and local levels to reduce potential impacts.
The Ministry’s letter calls for the invocation of Section 11 to grant emergency procurement powers to the Directors of Civil Defence in states and UTs, ensuring the swift execution of protective measures.
The letter states: “In the current hostile attack scenario, Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968 empowers State Governments to take necessary actions to protect persons and property and maintain vital services during hostile attacks. Local authority funds should be used for compliance with these measures, which should be prioritized over other obligations.”
The Ministry further urged that the necessary emergency procurement powers be granted to the Directors of Civil Defence to ensure the effective implementation of precautionary actions.
Officials stressed that timely action and preparedness at the local and state levels are crucial to minimizing the impact of such threats.
The call to reinforce civil defence measures comes after a significant security breach along the India-Pakistan border, when Pakistani forces launched a series of coordinated drone and missile attacks on India’s western border, targeting areas in Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan. Indian defense systems, including the S-400 missile defense system, successfully intercepted most of the attacks, minimizing damage.
The missile and drone strikes appear to be a retaliation for India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22. The escalating conflict has raised tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, with each side accusing the other of aggression and airspace violations.
The situation remains unstable, with international calls for both nations to engage in dialogue and avoid further escalation.
