Home Ministry asks states, UTs to invoke emergency powers under Civil Defence Rules amid rising tensions with Pakistan

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday instructed the chief secretaries and administrators of all states and Union Territories to invoke the emergency powers provided to them under Civil Defence Rules, news agency ANI reported.

According to the communique, states and Union Territories can invoke Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, granting Emergency Procurement Powers to their respective Directors of Civil Defence to ensure the swift and effective implementation of precautionary measures.

This order aligns with the government's efforts to efficiently implement necessary precautionary measures.


Several distructs across India, particularly near its Western parts, are on high alert after Pakistan attempted a retaliatory assault post India's Operation Sindoor, launching drones and missiles at multiple Indian military installations across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Key locations targeted included Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Bhuj.

India had targeted terror infrastructure in nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early hours of May 7.

Operation Sindoor India Pakistan Live: Home Ministry asks states, UTs to activate emergency powers under civil defence rules

India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralised the incoming threats. Authorities are currently recovering debris from the intercepted drones and missiles, confirming the attempted strikes.

Furthermore, in the early hours of Thursday, the Indian Armed Forces carried out additional precision strikes targeting Pakistani air defence infrastructure. Sources confirmed that an air defence system near Lahore was among those destroyed.

Simultaneously, Pakistan intensified ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), using mortars and heavy artillery in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.

The shelling from Pakistan has resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians in India, including three women and five children.