India Prepares for All Contingencies After Strikes in PoK
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, India’s calculated missile offensive targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Indian defence establishment has moved swiftly to fortify national borders and anticipate possible retaliation. The states of Rajasthan and Punjab, which share a volatile border with Pakistan, are now operating under heightened alert. From airspace closures to missile readiness and troop mobilisation, India’s response framework reflects a clear message: pre-emptive control, not reactive chaos.
Rajasthan: Border Sealed, Skies Secured, Blackouts Ordered
Rajasthan, which shares over 1,000 km of border with Pakistan, has seen a rapid militarisation of its frontier. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been instructed to seal all entry points, with shoot-on-sight orders in place for any suspicious activity. Civilian movement near the border is heavily restricted, and local evacuation protocols have been activated.
To protect against aerial threats, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets are conducting continuous patrols across critical sectors from Sri Ganganagar to the Rann of Kutch. Simultaneously, missile defence systems have been activated to intercept any incoming threats. Airports in Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Bikaner remain closed until May 9, while night-time blackouts have been ordered in sensitive districts such as Jaisalmer and Jodhpur to hinder potential enemy targeting.
Schools have been closed and exams postponed. The state government has cancelled leaves for police and rail staff, ensuring full operational capacity in law enforcement and logistics.
Punjab: Civil Preparedness in Sync with Defence Posture
Punjab, which also borders Pakistan, has mirrored Rajasthan’s defensive steps. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cancelled all public engagements and restricted large gatherings. Leaves for all police personnel have been revoked, with district officials instructed to monitor and report developments in real-time. Full blackout ordered in Punjab’s Gurdaspur from 9 pm to 5 am daily.
The heightened security comes in direct anticipation of possible Pakistani military reaction, especially after Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif described India’s precision strikes as an “act of war.” Despite India’s categorical assertion that no military or civilian targets were hit, the rhetoric from Islamabad has raised concerns of a cross-border flare-up.
India’s Strategic Messaging: Proportionate, Precise, and Prepared
India’s strikes under Operation Sindoor were aimed squarely at terror training facilities, avoiding military installations to avoid unnecessary escalation. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasised that the strikes were “measured, proportionate, and non-escalatory,” aimed at dismantling future threats rather than igniting conflict.
NSA Ajit Doval briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi early Thursday on the border situation, regional response, and support from global allies. Countries including the US, France, the UK, Israel, and the Netherlands have backed India’s right to self-defence, reinforcing India’s position in the global fight against terrorism.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has intensified shelling along the Line of Control (LoC). According to government data, 13 civilians have been killed and nearly 60 injured in Pakistan’s indiscriminate firing, especially in the Poonch sector.
Readiness is the Real Deterrent
India’s response to Operation Sindoor’s potential fallout is not just about defence—it’s about strategic clarity, unified command, and civic coordination. By securing its borders, activating air defences, and pre-positioning evacuation resources, India is signalling not aggression, but control. The lesson is stark: in an age of asymmetric threats and volatile neighbours, deterrence is defined by preparedness, not posturing. The coming days will test resolve on both sides—but India, for now, has ensured it holds the higher ground.
(With agency inputs)
