Borders sealed, airports shut: How border states are prepping as India, Pakistan tensions escalate

A day after India launched its precision missile strikes under Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, at least three border states—Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab—have been placed on high alert.

The local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are also stepping up preparations and running evacuation measures in their border villages, bracing for any potential escalation in tensions.

Catch all the live updates from  India’s Operation Sindoor here

India’s missile strikes on May 7 were a direct response to the horrific terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam two weeks ago, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In the wee hours, India hit nine terror strongholds linked to Pakistan-based groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Here’s how India’s border states are preparing on the ground.

Jammu & Kashmir

In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has intensified its cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), prompting the local authorities to activate a range of safety measures to protect civilians living in high-risk areas.

Hundreds of residents from villages situated near the LoC and International Border (IB) have been moved to safer locations, as the threat of continued shelling looms large.

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“Though there was no cross-border firing in our village, we have been told to shift to ITI College in R S Pura where necessary arrangements have been made by the government for our lodgment in view of the prevailing tense situation,” Liaqat Ali, a resident of Jorian village near the IB, told PTI.

Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Army launched heavy artillery and mortar shelling on forward villages in Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region, and in Baramulla and Kupwara in north Kashmir. The deadly assault killed 16 people, including three women and five children, and left over 50 others injured.

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In Uri and Tangdhar sectors, locals reported some of the heaviest shelling in recent times. “We have shifted to the underground bunkers, but this is the heaviest shelling here in recent years,” a resident of Tangdhar told The Indian Express.

In several other locations, including Gagrian and nearby villages in the Akhnoor sector, authorities have urged people to relocate to safer areas.

But in severely hit regions like Poonch, many families took the initiative to leave on their own.

“We had a sleepless night… I was waiting for the shelling to stop to shift my family of six to a relative’s house,” said Mohd Arshid, a resident of the worst-hit Mankote village, speaking to PTI.

Punjab

Punjab was among the first states to swing into action following India’s strikes, stepping up security and preparedness across all border districts. The state shares a 532-kilometre-long border with Pakistan.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cancelled all official engagements as a precautionary measure, signalling the seriousness of the situation. All border areas in the state have been placed on high alert.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Police has also been placed on high alert, and all leaves for its officers and employees have been cancelled, citing “administrative reasons”. According to officials quoted by the Times of India, coordination with the Indian Army is already underway to ensure a swift and organised response in case of further escalation.

In Punjab, mock drills simulating emergency scenarios, like fire emergencies, and rescue operations were performed in Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala and Mohali.

Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, which shares a 1,037-kilometre-long border with Pakistan, authorities have rolled out wide-ranging precautionary measures.

Airports in Kishangarh and Jodhpur have been shut till May 10, while the Border Security Force has intensified patrols. Air defence units have also been activated across the region.

The Indian Air Force also remains on high alert, with Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets carrying out aerial patrols over the western sector. According to a report by The Times of India, missile defence and anti-drone systems along the border are fully operational.

In districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, all schools, anganwadis, and coaching centres have been shut until further notice. Exams scheduled for May 8 have been postponed, and government employees have been instructed to stay at their posts and cancel any leave.

To ensure secrecy and security, rare blackout orders were issued in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, with lights turned off from midnight to 4 am, as reported by NDTV.

Meanwhile, state-run hospitals have been told to stock up on blood and emergency medicines, fuel stations have been asked to maintain reserves, and evacuation plans have been readied for vulnerable border villages.

Officials have also been issued orders to curb misinformation and prevent the hoarding of essential supplies.

Gujarat

Tensions ran high in Gujarat as the state activated a series of security measures along its 508-kilometre-long border with Pakistan.

Civilian flights from Bhuj and Rajkot airports were suspended for three days, with both airports now exclusively handling military aircraft. The decision followed a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued early Wednesday.

Security forces ramped up patrolling and surveillance across the state’s coastal and border areas, with Jamnagar emerging as a key focus. Special Operations Group (SOG) teams, Marine Police units, and Task Force commandos were deployed to monitor and secure vulnerable zones, reported TOI.

With military drills in progress across the country and airspace limitations in place, multiple commercial flights faced disruption. The heightened alert extended to railway stations as well. At Ahmedabad station, Quick Reaction Teams, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Government Railway Police (GRP) carried out joint security sweeps. Baggage checks were tightened, and access points were brought under close surveillance.

With input from agencies