Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], May 9 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday praised the Indian armed forces for carrying out a strong counter-strike under 'Operation Sindoor', and said the military action gave a "befitting reply" to Pakistan for killing innocent civilians.
Speaking to the media, CM Saini said, "I salute all jawans who are foiling the evil intentions of Pakistan. Through Operation Sindoor, our armed forces are giving a befitting reply to Pakistan for killing our innocent people... Pakistan needs to realise that a country won't develop through terrorism."
The remarks came after the Indian Armed Forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation for the recent Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan.
CM Saini expressed confidence in the Indian Army's capabilities and added that national security must be protected at all costs.
"Our forces are always alert. They know how to protect the country and teach the enemy a lesson. I am proud of them," CM Saini said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has urged all states and Union Territories (UTs) to augment civil defence measures under the Civil Defence Act and Rules of 1968.
Highlighting Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, the Ministry in a letter titled "augmentation of civil defence measures in the states/UTs" reminded that state governments are empowered to undertake all necessary actions for the protection of people and property, and to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of vital services during a hostile attack.
In the letter issued, considering the Thursday night attacks by Pakistani forces in Jammu and Jaisalmer regions, the provision also authorises the use of local authority funds for such emergency measures, giving them precedence over other financial obligations.
In the communication, the Ministry has requested that "states and UTs invoke Section 11 and grant emergency procurement powers to their respective Directors of Civil Defence."
This step aimed at enabling the efficient implementation of precautionary and protective measures.
Officials also emphasised that timely action and preparedness at the state and local levels are essential to mitigate the impact.
The call to strengthen civil defence measures follows a serious security incident along the India-Pakistan border as Pakistan on Thursday night launched a series of coordinated drone and missile attacks along India's western border, targeting regions in Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan.
According to Indian defence officials, the attacks were largely intercepted by India's air defence systems, including the S-400 missile defence system, preventing significant damage.
These strikes were reportedly in retaliation for India's Operation Sindoor, conducted earlier this week, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists on April 22.