Tensions Escalate: Border States on High Alert Amid India-Pakistan Standoff; Schools Shut, Blackouts Ordered, Leaves Cancelled

As tensions between India and Pakistan intensify following India’s retaliatory strikes on terror camps across the border, several Indian states have swiftly implemented emergency measures, placing border districts on high alert. The actions come in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

In a series of coordinated moves, states including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal have shut down schools in sensitive districts, enforced night blackouts, and cancelled all leaves for police, administrative, and health officials.

Punjab, which shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, has ordered the closure of schools in six border districts—Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran—until further notice. An eight-hour blackout starting at 9 pm has been enforced in Gurdaspur. The Director General of Police’s office issued an order stating, “Leaves should be granted only in special circumstances with the approval of the competent authority.” Punjab Minister Aman Arora said, “Punjab shares a 532-km border with Pakistan. Therefore, the role of the Punjab government becomes extremely crucial during any military tension. All districts near the border have been placed on high alert.”

Haryana has followed suit, cancelling the leaves of all police and health department personnel. Officials have been directed not to leave their district headquarters. In Himachal Pradesh, districts bordering Punjab like Hamirpur, Una, and Bilaspur have witnessed heightened security, particularly around religious sites like Baba Balak Nath, Maa Chintpurni, and Maa Naina Devi.

Rajasthan, which shares a 1,070-km international border with Pakistan, has closed schools in five border districts—Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer—and declared blackouts from midnight to 4 am. Jodhpur colleges have also been ordered shut, and flight operations at Bikaner, Kishangarh, and Jodhpur airports have been suspended until May 10.

Gujarat, with both land and sea borders with Pakistan, has intensified coastal security. Police personnel have been recalled from leave, and patrols are being conducted at boat landing points in Jamnagar, Morbi, and Devbhumi Dwarka. “Police along the coast have been put on ‘alert’ mode after India’s anti-terror strikes in Pakistan,” said Ashok Kumar Yadav, Inspector General of Rajkot Range.

West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh, has also issued a statewide leave cancellation for government employees. A finance department notification dated May 7, made public on Thursday, cited the “current situation” as the reason. It added that even employees who were previously granted leave must return to duty, except those on medical leave.