Mumbai on High Alert Amid India-Pakistan Tensions; Coastline Patrolled, Security Tightened

Mumbai | May 9, 2025:In light of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following a series of cross-border drone and missile attacks, Mumbai has been placed on high alert, prompting city-wide security reinforcements and heightened coastal surveillance.

As a preventive measure, Mumbai Police have stepped up patrolling across the city, with a sharp focus on sensitive coastal areas. Locations such as Dadar Chowpatty saw an early morning evacuation on Friday, with civilians being asked to vacate the seafront amid security concerns. Videos circulating on social media depict police forces actively monitoring the shoreline and urging residents to remain indoors.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to chair an emergency high-level security review meeting today at his official residence, Varsha Bungalow, in Mumbai. Senior officials from the police and state administration are expected to attend the meeting to assess the evolving threat landscape and chalk out coordinated response strategies.

The alert in Mumbai is part of a nationwide preparedness drive, as India responds to continued hostilities along its borders. In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma convened a similar meeting on Friday to review border security, especially in sensitive districts like Jaisalmer, which has recently experienced multiple drone intrusions.

Earlier this week, explosions and aerial flashes were reported in Bikaner, Punjab, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Samba, Jammu, Amritsar, and Jalandhar. Authorities in many of these regions implemented blackouts as a defensive measure to shield against potential airstrikes and drone-guided attacks.

In a robust overnight counter-offensive, the Indian Army successfully neutralised over 50 Pakistani drones attempting to breach Indian airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB). Sources from the defence establishment reported that the Pakistani drones were part of a large-scale, coordinated swarm drone assault launched late Wednesday night.

India’s layered air defence system, comprising L-70 anti-aircraft guns, ZU-23mm cannons, Schilka weapon systems, and advanced counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) technologies, was deployed effectively to intercept and destroy the aerial threats.

Authorities have appealed to the public to remain vigilant, avoid crowded or open areas, and follow official advisories during this high-alert period. As tensions continue to rise, security agencies across the nation remain on full alert to thwart any further provocations or incursions.