Srinagar, May 9, 2025: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed officials to prioritise the construction and reinforcement of safe shelters for residents living along the Line of Control and International Border , as India-Pakistan tensions intensify following India’s Operation Sindoor. The directive was issued during a series of emergency meetings held on May 7 and 8, 2025, to address the safety of civilians in border districts amid heavy cross-border shelling by Pakistan.
In response to Pakistan’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks on May 8, 2025, targeting Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan, Abdullah emphasized the urgent need to protect civilian lives. He ordered the immediate release of Rs 5 crore per border district and Rs 2 crore for other districts to enable local administrations to enhance infrastructure, including community bunkers, medical facilities, and evacuation preparedness. “The focus is on safeguarding civilian lives, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring swift response to any emerging challenges,” Abdullah stated during a high-level review meeting with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of border districts like Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora.
The Chief Minister’s orders come in the wake of Pakistan’s “disproportionate” firing, which killed 12 civilians, including five Sikhs, in Poonch and injured 30 others. Abdullah condemned Pakistan’s targeting of civilians, noting that India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 6-7, 2025, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, was carefully executed to avoid civilian and military targets. “Pakistan has no sense, has attacked civilians,” he remarked, urging residents not to panic despite the volatile situation.
To ensure critical supplies, Abdullah directed officials to stockpile essential food, fuel, and medical resources and deploy additional ambulances to forward areas affected by shelling. Over 7,000 residents have already been shifted to safer locations, with Minister Satish Sharma announcing relief measures for those displaced. The Chief Minister also called for action against rumour-mongering to maintain public calm and ordered districts to stay prepared for emergencies and potential evacuations.
Abdullah’s proactive measures align with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s instructions to move citizens near the border to bunkers and ensure robust safety protocols. The J&K government, in coordination with the Border Security Force and other agencies, is closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation and protect border communities.