Air defence units activated, borders sealed: Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat on high alert after 'Operation Sindoor'

NEW DELHI: In the aftermath of India’s pre-dawn strikes on nine terror infrastructure, including launchpads, in mainland Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under 'Operation Sindoor', at least three border states — Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat — have gone into high-alert mode, cancelling public events, shutting educational institutions and tightening surveillance along sensitive areas. The airstrikes, conducted two weeks after a devastating terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 dead, reportedly targeted strongholds of Pakistan-based terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke. With a 532-kilometre international border, Punjab was among the first to respond with heightened vigilance. State Cabinet Minister Aman Arora announced that all border districts had been placed on high alert and all public gatherings, including government events, were being cancelled as a precaution. He praised the Indian armed forces for their swift retaliation and said the people of Punjab were united behind them. “Whenever the nation’s integrity is challenged, Punjabis never hesitate to stand up — even if it means laying down their lives,” Arora said in a statement. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann called off his scheduled anti-drug programmes in SBS Nagar and Jalandhar. Meanwhile, Punjab Police was placed on alert as the “second line of defence”, and officials confirmed coordination with the Indian Army was underway to prepare for any contingencies. Arora also appealed to residents to follow official instructions carefully and avoid spreading panic, especially through social media. In neighbouring Rajasthan, authorities ordered sweeping precautionary measures across the state's 1,037-kilometre border with Pakistan. Airports in Kishangarh and Jodhpur were shut until May 10, and the Border Security Force ramped up patrols as air defence units were activated. All schools, anganwadis, and coaching centres in districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar were closed until further notice. Barmer Collector Tina Dabi and Jodhpur Collector Gaurav Agrawal issued emergency notifications late Wednesday, while Jaisalmer saw a rare four-hour blackout from midnight to 4 am to enhance operational secrecy. Exams scheduled for May 8 were postponed, and government employees were instructed to cancel leave and remain at their headquarters. State hospitals were directed to stock blood and emergency medicines, fuel stations were asked to maintain inventory, and evacuation plans for vulnerable villages were put in place. Officials also issued directives to clamp down on fake news and hoarding of essentials. District collectors were told to identify and secure sensitive locations across the border belt and coordinate closely with central agencies and the military. In Gujarat, where border districts like Kutch share proximity with Pakistan, the situation was equally tense. Civilian flights from Bhuj and Rajkot airports were suspended for three days, with both facilities now exclusively serving military aircraft. The move followed a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued early Wednesday.Security forces have intensified patrolling and surveillance in coastal and border regions, with a special focus on Jamnagar. Teams from the Special Operations Group (SOG), Marine Police, and Task Force commandos have been mobilised to carry out security checks along sensitive stretches, including Halar beach, which lies close to the Pakistan border. Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was thrown into chaos as eight flights — four arrivals and four departures — were cancelled. With airspace restrictions in place and military drills underway nationwide, several other flights experienced delays. The ripple effect extended to railway stations as well. At Ahmedabad station, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and armed Quick Reaction Teams conducted joint security sweeps. Baggage screening was intensified and all access points placed under surveillance. Anti-sabotage drills and flag marches were also conducted.