Centre invokes civil defence emergency powers nationwide amid Pakistan drone, missile threats

In a significant move reflecting heightened security concerns, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally asked chief secretaries and administrators of all states and Union Territories to invoke emergency powers granted under India’s civil defence framework. 

The directive, issued on Friday, seeks to facilitate the effective implementation of precautionary measures across the country amid repeated missile and drone-led strikes by Pakistan, which reportedly landed perilously close to the civilian infrastructure of cities close to the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Chandigarh.

The communication underscores the Centre’s growing urgency to operationalise dormant emergency mechanisms as regional hostilities remain unresolved and critical infrastructure remains under elevated threat levels.

The invocation of emergency powers under the Civil Defence Act enables states to quickly mobilise response units, activate air-raid warning systems, secure vital installations, and coordinate directly with armed forces and civil society volunteers in preparation for potential escalations.

In the late hours of Thursday, reports emerged that Jammu's strategic and critical civil infrastructure was targeted by Pakistan, including the government university and the city's airport, with loitering munitions, and a complete blackout is being observed in the entire Jammu region. As per several news reports, a complete blackout was enforced in the Samba and Akhnoor regions of Jammu, and sirens were also heard.

Apart from this, a complete "blackout" had been enforced in Kishtwar in the Jammu division, and sirens were heard throughout the district, according to news agency ANI. Pakistan had reportedly launched a fusillade of loitering munitions over Jammu. A similar blackout, along with air raid sirens, was also enforced in Chandigarh. An air raid siren was again heard on Friday morning in the city. 

The ongoing escalations have prompted the administration to ramp up measures to ensure public safety. The District Magistrate of Chandigarh said on Friday that bursting of fireworks—including firecrackers—during weddings or religious festivals, and other celebrations is strictly prohibited in the city. It has also banned the hoarding of essential commodities—which include rice, wheat, sugar, and fuel—under the Essential Commodities Act. Traders are also required to declare their current stock within three days.