Operation Sindoor: Kerala sets up control room, Punjab deputes mins to border areas | How Indian states are gearing up against Pak
A man stands inside his house destroyed by Pakistani artillery shelling at the Salamabad village in Uri, about 110kms from Srinagar, on May 8, 2025. India's government said on May 8 that Pakistan launched an overnight air attack using "drones and missiles", before New Delhi retaliated to destroy an air defence system in Lahore. "Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets ... using drones and missiles," India's defence ministry said in a statement, adding that "these were neutralised" by air defence systems. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
Indian states are on high alert, and measures are being taken to maintain vigil against Pakistan's retaliation for Operation Sindoor. Border states have shut educational institutions and heightened security in the wake of Pakistan's drone strike on Thursday night.
States are assessing the situation and reviewing relief and other aid measures. Security drills are also being conducted to counter Pakistan's attacks.
The Kerala government has set up a control room to provide assistance to students and Keralites living in the areas bordering Pakistan. The government asked the Keralites in the state bordering Pakistan to follow the instructions given by the authorities and stay safe. The control room set up Kerala secretariat can be reached through 0471-2517500/2517600, 0471-2322600 (fax) and cdmdkerala@kerala.gov.in.
The Andhra Pradesh government has also initiated measures to assist students from the state stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh tweeted, "Amid Pakistan's provocations, the coalition govt (government) is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of students from Andhra Pradesh stranded in Jammu & Kashmir."
Border states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Odisha, Gujarat, West Bengal and various others reviewed security situation in the state and advised officials to maintain vigil.
A cabinet meeting of the Punjab government was held on Friday to assess the situation in the state. In the wake of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control, the Punjab government reviewed the situation in border areas. The government also deputed ministers to border districts to review emergency facilities in the region.
Odisha has tightened security at key installations in the state. Security has been beefed up at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore district, at the Army Air Defence College near Gopalpur, ordnance factory in Balangir, INS Chilka and the Indian Rare Earths Limited (IERL) near Chhatrapur.
In Delhi, heavy security was deployed at the vital installations. The Directorate of Civil Defence will be conducting a trial of air raid sirens installed at PWD headquarters, ITO later today.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced it would take out a rally supporting the armed forces on Saturday. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said he would lead a rally supporting armed forces in Chennai on Saturday.
Recently, reviewing the security situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah advised states to stay alert and stock up essential goods. He asked border states to prepare for "any situation".
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