What are 'Modi Bunkers' and how they may prove crucial in case of an India-Pakistan war

As tensions simmer once again between India and Pakistan, the spotlight has turned to civilian safety — particularly in border areas prone to shelling. Among the key defensive measures are the so-called 'Modi Bunkers' — thousands of underground shelters built to shield residents during cross-border attacks.

Constructed extensively during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term, these bunkers line the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. Designed to protect civilians from mortar fire and infiltration, they reflect a major governmental push to secure border communities.

According to The Times of India, by 2021 nearly 8,000 underground shelters were built across Jammu province. Initially, the Centre approved 14,460 bunkers across five districts — Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Poonch, and Rajouri — and later sanctioned 4,000 more, expanding protection for vulnerable villages.


After the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, reports suggest renewed urgency among border residents. In Poonch district, villagers have begun cleaning and restocking their long-forgotten bunkers with essentials like bedding and blankets, preparing for any potential emergency.

"The people had forgotten the bunkers. The bunkers are being cleaned again now. There is an atmosphere of fear, but we hope harmony will prevail," a resident from Karmarha village told ANI.

The Pahalgam incident, which left both security personnel and civilians dead, has reignited concerns over cross-border infiltration and a possible escalation in violence.

In response, the Indian government has reportedly ordered mock drills across 200+ cities nationwide, reflecting the growing emphasis on preparedness in a volatile security climate.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday, given the "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.

According to a home ministry communication, the measures to be taken during the mock drills include the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a "hostile attack" and cleaning bunkers and trenches.

The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans.

The mock drills also include the operationalisation of hotline and radio-communication links with the Indian Air Force (IAF), testing the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms.