The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday urged all States and Union Territories (UTs) to strengthen civil defence measures under the Civil Defence Act and Rules of 1968.
The call for enhanced civil defence readiness follows the coordinated drone and missile strikes launched by Pakistan on Thursday night along the India-Pakistan border
In a letter titled “Augmentation of Civil Defence Measures in the States/UTs,” the MHA highlighted Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, which empowers state governments to take all necessary actions to protect lives and property, and to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of essential services during hostile attacks.
The Ministry emphasized that, following recent attacks by Pakistani forces in the Jammu and Jaisalmer regions, state governments are authorized to use local authority funds for emergency civil defence measures. These expenses are to be given priority over other financial obligations.
The letter stated, “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 Ministry further requested states and UTs to invoke Section 11 and grant Emergency Procurement Powers to their respective Directors of Civil Defence, enabling timely and effective implementation of precautionary measures.
Officials underscored the importance of prompt action and preparedness at both state and local levels to minimize the impact of any future attacks.
The call for enhanced civil defence readiness follows a serious security incident along the India-Pakistan border, where Pakistan launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Thursday night. The attacks targeted areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan. According to Indian defence officials, most of the projectiles were intercepted by India’s air defence systems, including the S-400 missile system, preventing major damage.
These strikes reportedly came in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, launched earlier this week, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan. MHA urges states, UTs to strengthen civil defence amid rising hostile threats
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday urged all States and Union Territories (UTs) to strengthen civil defence measures under the Civil Defence Act and Rules of 1968.
The call for enhanced civil defence readiness follows the coordinated drone and missile strikes launched by Pakistan on Thursday night along the India-Pakistan border
In a letter titled “Augmentation of Civil Defence Measures in the States/UTs,” the MHA highlighted Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, which empowers state governments to take all necessary actions to protect lives and property, and to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of essential services during hostile attacks.
The Ministry emphasized that, following recent attacks by Pakistani forces in the Jammu and Jaisalmer regions, state governments are authorized to use local authority funds for emergency civil defence measures. These expenses are to be given priority over other financial obligations.
The letter stated, “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 Ministry further requested states and UTs to invoke Section 11 and grant Emergency Procurement Powers to their respective Directors of Civil Defence, enabling timely and effective implementation of precautionary measures.
Officials underscored the importance of prompt action and preparedness at both state and local levels to minimize the impact of any future attacks.
The call for enhanced civil defence readiness follows a serious security incident along the India-Pakistan border, where Pakistan launched coordinated drone and missile strikes on Thursday night. The attacks targeted areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan. According to Indian defence officials, most of the projectiles were intercepted by India’s air defence systems, including the S-400 missile system, preventing major damage.
These strikes reportedly came in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, launched earlier this week, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan. The operation followed a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.
-ANI