On Pakistan radar, IAF base, defence labs put on high alert in UT

The UT Administration has pulled all the stops to thwart any possible strike from across the border after Chandigarh was unsuccessfully targeted by Pakistan on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

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The Pakistan’s retaliatory attempt followed India’s missile strikes on terror bases, including Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group to avenge the Pahalgam massacre, as well as drone strikes on several Pakistani cities, including Lahore, in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Sources said the Mullanpur Air Force base and DRDO’s two major establishments in Chandigarh — the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) — have been put under enhanced security and vigilance. Besides, the international airport in Mohali, which has already been shut since Wednesday after the IAF took control of it and all civilian flights were cancelled till further orders, has also been put under tight security.

It was also learnt that coordination between Chandigarh and neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana has been further strengthened with security drills, including special nakas (check-points) at the entry and exit points, put in place to increase the police presence on the ground and check any possible infiltration of terrorists.

Taking cognisance of the situation, the Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria personally supervised the civil defence mock drill conducted at the Sector 17 Plaza, one of the busiest public places in the city, this afternoon. He ordered for foolproof arrangements to thwart any possible terror attack in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

Meanwhile, the drill a Sector 17 was part of the ongoing exercise being carried out by the UT Administration since Wednesday to test the emergency preparedness in Chandigarh.

“Following the reports of Chandigarh being on Pakistan’s radar and the unsuccessful attempts by the Pakistani military to strike installations here, the Governor-cum-Administrator reviewed the security arrangements at all vital installations and public places while directing to beef up the bandobast to thwart any possible terror attack,” a senior UT official told The Tribune.

Kataria, it was learnt, sought for the details of the vital installations in the city and its periphery as well and instructed the Administration as well as the state governments concerned to ensure foolproof security details inside, outside and around all vital installations. Such measures will also be taken at all public places, including international airport in Mohali, railway stations, bus stands, malls, government buildings and other spots with considerable public footfall.

“The situation is fully under control and there is no need to panic. But, keeping in view the evolving situation and after coming to know about the nefarious designs of our enemy, we have further strengthened our security and response system to foil any possible terror attack,” said an official, while adding that the UT Administration was fully geared up to deal with any exigency.

Schools to remain shut in tricity, Panjab university defers exams

The Chandigarh Education Department has ordered the closure of all schools in the city on Friday and Saturday. A similar order was also issued by the Mohali district administration. The anganwadis will also remain closed. The Panchkula administration ordered the closure of all schools till Monday. Meanwhile, the Panjab University’s Controller of Examination issued a notification deferring the exams scheduled for May 9, 10 and 12.