Bomb-like Device Found in Jaisalmer, Alert Issued

A bomb-like device was discovered in a residential locality of Jaisalmer on Friday, setting off a large-scale security operation by Army and police forces. The object was located in the Jogi Colony area of Kishanghat at approximately 10 am, prompting immediate action by Army personnel, who evacuated the vicinity and safely extracted the device, preventing a possible catastrophe.

Authorities have since placed the city under high alert, enforcing a full blockade across Jaisalmer. Armed security forces have been stationed throughout the area, and all vehicles entering or leaving the city are being thoroughly inspected. 

Entry is permitted only after comprehensive document verification, and law enforcement is monitoring all suspicious activity closely.

The alert follows a series of cross-border threats, with the state already on edge due to recent incidents involving attempted attacks from Pakistan. During the night of May 7-8, missiles targeted Indian airbases at Uttarlai, Nal, and Phalodi. 

These were intercepted mid-flight by India’s advanced S-400 air defence system. On the evening of May 8, at around 9 pm, swarm drones attempted to strike military installations in Jaisalmer and Pokaran. These too were neutralised before causing any harm.

In response to the heightened threat level, blackouts were carried out on Thursday night across six districts: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, and Pali. Airports in the state’s border regions have also been shut down. 

All scheduled flights have been diverted, leaving the skies empty over airports in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Kishangarh.

The developing situation has also severely affected railway operations. In Jaisalmer, train number 12468 (Jaipur–Jaisalmer), which departed on May 8, was partially cancelled and ran only as far as Bikaner. Conversely, train number 12467 (Jaisalmer–Jaipur), scheduled for May 9, is now departing from Bikaner instead of Jaisalmer, with its Jaisalmer–Bikaner leg cancelled. 

In Barmer, four trains scheduled for 9 May have been cancelled in full. These are train numbers 14895 (Bhagat Ki Kothi–Barmer), 14896 (Barmer–Bhagat Ki Kothi), 04880 (Munabao–Barmer), and 54881 (Barmer–Munabao).

To ensure public safety, the Rajasthan government has announced the closure of all educational institutions in five border districts—Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Sri Ganganagar—till further orders. Coaching centres in Sri Ganganagar have also suspended operations.

Additional precautionary restrictions have been imposed. Fireworks have been banned in both Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar. A prohibition on drone flying is in effect in Bikaner and has also been implemented in Kota, where it will remain in place till July 7.

To strengthen the state's administrative and emergency response capabilities, nine officers from the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) have been deployed to key border locations. These officers have been tasked with supporting disaster management efforts and maintaining law and order amidst the ongoing security crisis.

(With inputs from IANS)

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