India’s air defence system intercepts Pakistani drones amid blackout after India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement, in Udhampur on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Soon after the cessation of firing and military action between India and Pakistan was announced on Saturday (May 10, 2025) evening, cross-border firing from Pakistan was reported at several locations along the Jammu border, a Border Security Force (BSF) official said. “There was heavy firing till 7.30 p.m., commensurate response was being given,” said the official.

Earlier, amid reports of Pakistani troops moving closer to the western border, BSF fortified its presence and the Army put its armoured units in the forward areas of Rajasthan on high alert, a senior government official told The Hindu.

Follow India-Pakistan ceasefire updates on May 10

Another BSF official said that the formations had not received any instruction to scale down the deployment after the cessation of military operations was announced around 6 p.m. on Saturday and the border guarding force will be on high alert particularly in Punjab and Jammu.

Earlier in the day, Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh said that Pakistan military has been observed to be moving their troops into forward areas adding, “Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness. All hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded appropriately.”

BSF said on Saturday that it had destroyed a terrorist launchpad in Pakistan’s Sialkot. “The terrorist launch pad at Looni, District Sialkot opposite Akhnoor area was completely destroyed by the BSF,” it said in a statement.

The BSF said that from 9 p.m. on Friday, Pakistan opened fire on BSF posts along Jammu border without any provocation. “BSF is responding in commensurate manner causing widespread damage to assets of Pakistan Rangers,” it said. At least eight BSF personnel were injured due to mortars fired from Pakistan. Sub Inspector Md Imteyaz who was injured in the firing on Thursday in the RS Pura sector in Jammu died on Saturday evening.

A senior BSF official said maximum vigil was being maintained at the border, particularly the Samba-Kathua sector in Jammu where a day ago seven terrorists were killed while they tried to infiltrate the country. Before Operation Sindoor commenced, the BSF had put in place additional security measures along the Jammu border to thwart infiltration from Pakistan.

“In the past six months, on a stretch of 30-35 km, we dug trenches that were 15-20 feet deep followed by a mound. Earlier we had detected tunnels along this border which could have been used to sneak into the country. Other than this, surveillance tools are being used to secure the border,” said the official.

The Gujarat Government said on Saturday that district administrations were asked to make their village evacuation plans more comprehensive so that people residing in villages close to the Pakistan border can be relocated to safe places if necessary.

In Barmer and Rajasthan, people were asked to stay indoors and markets and commercial establishments were shut down.

On Saturday, the Directorate of Civil Defence under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) advised media channels to refrain from using Civil Defence Air Raid Sirens sounds in their programs other than for educating the community.

“The routine use of sirens may likely reduce the sensitivity of civilians towards the Air Raid Sirens and civilians may misunderstand it as routine matter, used by the media channels, during the actual air raids,” the communication said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued an order temporarily extending the role of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Aviation Security Group (ASG) to provide additional security cover to cargo operations and at the In-line Hold Baggage Screening System (ILHBSS).

The arrangement, effective May 9 -May 18, is a direct response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent security scenario in the country, the CISF said in a statement. The enhancement of CISF’s mandate is essential to reinforce security arrangements at all civil airports.

“CISF has responded immediately and resumed oversight over cargo and baggage operations. CISF will oversee operations and the security staff of airport operators for ILHBSS. The directives also authorize CISF personnel to perform random checks and oversee access control to these critical facilities. All the airports under cover of CISF have already implemented the new strengthened system,” the CISF said.

Prior to this, the CISF’s deployment did not explicitly extend to the direct security and screening of cargo operations and the In-line Hold Baggage Screening System.