Amit Shah urges border states to stock up on essentials, stay alert post-Operation Sindoor

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed all border states to ensure uninterrupted essential services and maintain readiness for any retaliatory action following Operation Sindoor, India’s recent strike on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK.

Chairing a high-level security review meeting via video conferencing on Wednesday, Shah asked the chief ministers and Lieutenant Governors of border states—particularly those bordering Pakistan and Nepal—to take stock of emergency preparedness. This includes ensuring the smooth functioning of hospitals, fire services, and supply chains for essential commodities. The meeting came just hours after Indian forces reportedly hit nine terror camps across the border in response to the Pahalgam attack that claimed 28 lives.

“All states should make their preparations as per the guidelines issued for the mock drill,” Shah said in a statement, stressing that key civic functions must continue without disruption. He also asked states to place civil defence forces, disaster response units, Home Guards and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) on high alert.

Shah reiterated the Centre’s focus on tight coordination between local administration, the armed forces, and paramilitary units. He also called for active involvement from the public and NGOs to ensure community-level preparedness and quick response in any emergency.

Security agencies were instructed to increase surveillance of anti-national propaganda, especially across social media. Shah reportedly emphasised that any such misinformation should be countered swiftly in collaboration with state and central agencies. He also advised states to prevent public panic and initiate awareness drives to curb rumours.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the Home Secretary, Intelligence Bureau Director, and heads of BSF and CISF, participated in the review. Officials informed Shah that border outposts had been reinforced, leave for personnel had been cancelled, and precautionary protocols activated.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was also tasked with ramping up security along the borders with Nepal and Bhutan, amid concerns about infiltration through less guarded stretches.

Recalling the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had vowed a strong response. He praised the armed forces for Operation Sindoor, calling it evidence of India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. “The unity displayed by the country has lifted national morale,” he added.

According to officials, the strike led to the destruction of key assets belonging to terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, dealing a significant blow to cross-border terror infrastructure.