PM Modi Meets Home Secretary to Address Civilian Safety Amid Pakistan Border Firing
New Delhi, India – May 8, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Thursday, May 8, 2025, to discuss the urgent relocation of civilians from border villages in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan, as Pakistan’s unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border continues to escalate tensions. The meeting, reported by NDTV and amplified by posts on X, follows India’s “Operation Sindoor,” a retaliatory strike on terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Punjab province, prompted by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
The focus of the meeting was to ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable border areas, particularly in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, where approximately 1.25 lakh hectares of agricultural land lie within Pakistan’s shelling range. Farmers in villages like Treva and Suchetgarh have been racing to harvest crops amid the threat of cross-border fire, with locals like Rakesh Kumar expressing fears of “death and destruction” during shelling, as noted by NDTV. In Rajasthan, border districts such as Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur have been sealed, with schools closed and airports on high alert, according to X posts by @thefirstindia and @AnkitVrmaa.
Modi’s discussions with Mohan centered on coordinating civil defense measures and expediting the evacuation of civilians to safer zones. The Home Ministry has directed states to conduct security drills, with 244 areas across India, including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Odisha, participating in mock exercises on May 7 to prepare for potential hostilities. These drills, the first since the 1971 India-Pakistan war, involve training civilians in first aid, firefighting, and emergency shelter protocols, as outlined in a statement from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards.
The escalating situation stems from Pakistan’s ceasefire violations, with unprovoked firing reported for over 10 consecutive nights along the LoC in sectors like Kupwara, Baramulla, and Akhnoor, following the Pahalgam attack. India’s response has been multifaceted, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, and downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, measures announced after Modi granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to counter terrorism during a high-level meeting on April 29.
The plight of border residents has drawn national attention, with Modi emphasizing a “crushing blow to terrorism” while ensuring civilian safety. The Home Ministry’s proactive steps, including intensified counter-terror operations and the National Investigation Agency’s probe into the Pahalgam attack, reflect India’s resolve to secure its borders. However, the ongoing shelling has left families in a precarious state, with many, like Radhika Devi of Suchetgarh, working tirelessly to protect their livelihoods amid the chaos.
As India navigates this volatile period, the international community, including the U.S. and UN, has urged restraint to prevent a broader conflict. With civilian relocation efforts underway and security forces on high alert, the government’s priority remains protecting lives while addressing the cross-border threat.
Sources: NDTV, The Times of India, Business Today, Hindustan Times, X posts (@ndtv, @thefirstindia, @AnkitVrmaa)