Pakistani intruder gunned down in Punjab's Ferozpur

NEW DELHI: Border Security Force (BSF) has neutralized a Pakistani intruder who was trying to sneak into Indian side from Punjab's Ferozpur sector on the intervening night of May 7-8, according to news agency ANI sources.The intruder was spotted crossing the International Border purposefully and moving towards border security fence taking advantage of darkness. According to ANI, he was fired upon by BSF troops after challenging in the Ferozpur sector. After day break the body was handed over to the police.States on high alertRajasthan and Punjab have been placed on heightened alert following India's precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under ‘Operation Sindoor.’ Officials confirmed on Thursday that both states are bracing for any escalation, with stringent security measures now in place.Punjab, which shares a 532-km border with Pakistan, has shut schools in six border districts — Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran — until further notice. All police personnel in the state have been directed to report for duty, with leave cancelled except in exceptional cases and with approval from competent authorities, according to an order from the Director General of Police's office.Punjab minister Aman Arora said the state was playing a critical role given its border location. “All public events have been suspended. Punjab Police is fully prepared to act as the second line of defence and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Army to counter any threat,” he stated.In neighbouring Rajasthan, which has a 1,070-km border with Pakistan, the state government has also taken precautionary steps by suspending operations at all schools — both government and private — in four sensitive border districts: Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer.Chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma has instructed that all leaves for police personnel in border areas be cancelled. A high-level review meeting chaired by chief secretary Sudhansh Pant and Director General of Police U R Sahoo was held to assess preparedness. District collectors, divisional commissioners, IGPs, and SPs were directed to stay stationed at their headquarters and ensure round-the-clock vigilance.Security has been tightened across both states as India remains on alert following the retaliatory military action taken in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.