Acting on credible intelligence inputs, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed security forces to reinforce the security grid along India’s western borders and intensify vigilance in major cities, including Mumbai, Delhi and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Officials said intelligence agencies warned that Pakistan’s military establishment and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) may attempt to infiltrate terrorists into India, amid Islamabad’s mounting challenges along its western frontier and in its southern regions. Pakistan is currently grappling with heightened tensions with Afghanistan and a worsening insurgency in Balochistan.
According to assessments within India’s security establishment, periods of domestic turbulence in Pakistan have often been followed by attempts by state-linked actors to escalate cross-border terrorism—moves seen as efforts to divert internal political or security pressures.
A senior official familiar with the latest assessments said the potential threat to India is tied directly to the deteriorating situation on Pakistan’s western flank. Pakistan, he noted, appears to be facing a near-open confrontation with Afghanistan while also battling intensified insurgency in Balochistan.
“These conditions have historically preceded attempts by Pakistan to deflect internal pressure by activating cross-border terror networks against India,” the official said.
Following these assessments, the MHA asked multiple agencies to step up surveillance, intelligence operations and counter-terror efforts to pre-empt any escalation.
In Mumbai, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) initiated parallel action. Teams executed simultaneous raids in Kurla and Govandi, searching the homes of individuals suspected of being radicalised by a banned organisation. Several persons are being questioned, authorities said.
Along the Line of Control (LoC), security forces have already foiled an infiltration attempt. In the early hours of March 4, Army troops at Bhimber Gali engaged infiltrators and prevented a border breach.
Security agencies also believe that public unrest triggered globally by the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US-Israel forces could be exploited to instigate disturbances or fuel radical mobilisation within India.
Amid heightened alerts, multiple review meetings have been convened across sensitive regions. Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar with senior police and civil administration officials, directing them to remain vigilant and ensure the maintenance of public order.
Northern Command chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma also held a meeting in Srinagar with formation commanders and representatives of various security agencies to review the evolving situation and fine-tune operational preparedness.
Pakistan’s current security challenges stem from what analysts describe as a “two-front situation.” On February 21, the Pakistan Air Force reportedly conducted airstrikes on alleged militant camps in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces—believed to be used by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan.
Simultaneously, Balochistan has witnessed a surge in militant activity. Fighters linked to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) carried out coordinated attacks from January 30 to early February across multiple districts—including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, Nushki, Pasni and Kharan. Targets included banks, schools, marketplaces, security installations, police stations and a high-security prison, with militants deploying firearms, explosives and suicide bombers.
