Centre asks States, UTs to invoke emergency powers, Territorial Army to join armed forces amid India-Pak conflict

New Delhi: Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions, the Ministry of Home Affairs wrote to chief secretaries and administrators of all states and Union Territories asking them to invoke emergency powers under civil defence rules for efficient implementation of the necessary precautionary measures.

The central government has empowered the Army Chief to call out "every officer and every enrolled person" of the Territorial Army (TA) to provide for essential guard or to be embodied to support or supplement the regular Army. The Ministry of Defence's Department of Military Affairs issued a notification dated May 6 which says, "This order shall remain in force for three years with effect from 10 Feb 2025 to 09 Feb 2028".

The TA, fully integrated with regular army was raised on October 9, 1949 and completed 75 years last year. It has served the nation in times of war, and in humanitarian and environmental protection works through its eventful journey over the decades, reported PTI.

The government notification also said, "out of the existing 32 Infantry Battalions (Territorial Army), embodiment of 14 Infantry Battalions (Territorial Army) for deployment in the areas of Southern Command, Eastern Command, Western Command, Central Command, Northern Command, South Western Command, Andaman and Nicobar Command and Army Training Command (ARTRAC)".

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) said it killed seven terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the India–Pakistan International Border in Jammu and also destroyed a Pakistan Rangers post. The encounter occurred in the Samba sector on the intervening night of May 8–9, after a "big group" of terrorists was detected by the surveillance grid. The infiltration attempt was supported by fire from the Dhandhar post of the Pakistan Rangers, a BSF spokesperson said. Troops responded by neutralising the infiltrators and inflicting heavy damage on the Dhandhar post. The BSF also released thermal imaging footage showing the destruction.

Chandigarh on high alert
The Chandigarh administration issued an alert on Friday after an air warning was received from the local Air Force station, cautioning of a possible aerial threat. Sirens were sounded across the city, and residents were advised to remain indoors and away from windows and balconies.

Civilian casualties in Uri
Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri sector, heavy shelling by Pakistani forces killed a woman and injured two of her family members. Several civilian areas, including Silikot, Boniyar, Kamalkote, Mohra and Gingle, were targeted, causing damage to property and forcing residents to flee.

Pakistan denies role in strikes
Earlier in the day, Pakistan rejected Indian media reports claiming it had launched attacks on multiple Indian locations, calling the allegations “entirely unfounded” and part of a “reckless propaganda campaign.” In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the accusations were politically motivated and aimed at maligning the country.

The ministry claimed that India’s repeated charges without credible investigation were part of a deliberate strategy to justify aggression and destabilise the region. It urged the international community to take note of what it called “dangerous behaviour” and to counsel India towards restraint.

India’s response
According to Indian officials, the military on Thursday night thwarted an attempted strike by Pakistan using missiles and drones aimed at military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and other locations. Missiles were also reportedly directed at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia, but were intercepted by India’s air defence systems.

This latest escalation follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.

Media reports said that in retaliation, India struck several Pakistani locations including the Karachi port, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Visuals of damage to Karachi port—purportedly from an Indian missile strike—have gone viral on social media. Some outlets reported that the strike was launched from INS Vikrant, though there is no official confirmation.

Continuing hostilities
Shelling continued along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. The ongoing hostilities come after India reportedly targeted Pakistani air defence systems in cities including Lahore, neutralising at least one site. Officials said India also foiled Pakistani attempts to strike 15 locations across Indian territory.

Addressing the media in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India had only responded to the “original escalation” following the Pahalgam terror attack and that it was now up to Pakistan to decide whether to de-escalate.