NEW DELHI, May 9: In response to escalating hostilities and coordinated drone and missile strikes by Pakistan, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday issued an urgent advisory to all States and Union Territories (UTs), urging them to strengthen civil defence preparedness under the Civil Defence Act and Rules of 1968.

The advisory, titled “Augmentation of Civil Defence Measures in the States/UTs,” emphasizes Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, which empowers state governments to take all necessary actions to safeguard lives, property, and ensure continuity of essential services in the event of hostile attacks.

This call to action follows Thursday night’s security incident, where Pakistani forces reportedly launched coordinated aerial strikes targeting Indian regions along the border, including Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan. Indian air defence systems, including the S-400, successfully intercepted most of the incoming threats, averting major casualties or infrastructural damage.

“In the current hostile attack scenario, I would like to draw your kind attention to Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, which inter alia empowers the State Governments to take such measures as are deemed necessary for the protection of persons and property from injury or damage, or for ensuring the continued operation of vital services in the event of a hostile attack. The funds of the local authority shall be applicable to the payment of the charges and expenses incidental to such compliance, and priority shall be given to such compliance over all other duties and obligations of the local authority,” the MHA stated.

The Ministry highlighted that states are authorized to use local authority funds for emergency civil defence efforts, which must take precedence over other financial commitments. Additionally, the letter urged states and UTs to invoke Section 11 and grant Emergency Procurement Powers to their respective Directors of Civil Defence for swift implementation of safety measures.

Senior officials stressed the importance of immediate and coordinated action at the state and local levels to mitigate the impact of any future hostilities.

The drone and missile strikes are believed to be retaliation for India’s recently launched Operation Sindoor, which targeted known terrorist camps in Pakistan. That operation was itself in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 tourists. The banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating from Pakistani soil, has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.