The Border Security Force (BSF) has put all its units including Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat along the International Border (IB) on "high alert" in the wake of the surgical strikes by India on terror launch pads across the LoC on Thursday.
BSF personnel at the eastern frontier have also been put on high alert to avoid any "untoward incident" along the Indo-Bangla border.
Evacuation Exercise
The authorities also launched an exercise to evacuate those residing in villages near the International Border in view of the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, with Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal saying they will ensure "minimum inconvenience" to people.
Residents of nearly 1,000 villages along the border were made to evacuate.
In order to ensure civilian safety the authorities said that members of the public will not be allowed on Friday to witness the Attari-Wagah retreat ceremony from the stands right next to the designated border pillar in Punjab.
The officials said BSF has also restricted all civilian movement along borders with Pakistan. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab also asked its volunteers to help people trapped in the border areas.
Rajasthan on High Alert
High alert was also sounded in Rajasthan. Four districts of the state – Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer and Sriganganagar – shares over a 1,000 kilometre long border with Pakistan.
Mayo College, Ajmer has reportedly cancelled a scheduled event involving an exchange programme with a Pakistani delegation.
The programme involved 38 students and teachers from Pakistan.
Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Secretary and Home Secretary held a video conferencing with the officers and issued directions while reviewing the situation.
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)