Gujarat Revokes Staff Leave, Heightens Border Security Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

In light of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Gujarat government has revoked all categories of leave for its officials and employees across various state-run bodies and institutions.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the decision on Friday via a post on X, stating, “Given the prevailing situation, all types of leave for officers and employees of all departments and offices of the state government, as well as boards, corporations, panchayats, municipal corporations, and autonomous and grant-in-aid institutions, have been cancelled with immediate effect.”

Further, department heads have been directed to ensure that any employee currently on leave returns to duty without delay. A government notification also clarified that staff are not permitted to leave their headquarters without prior approval from their respective department heads.

A separate circular dated Tuesday specifically directed all medical, paramedical, and associated personnel under the Health and Medical Services Department to resume duties at their headquarters promptly. This order was issued following a broader directive from the Health and Family Welfare Department of the Gujarat Secretariat on Friday.

That same day, Chief Minister Patel chaired a high-level security meeting in Gandhinagar. Districts in Gujarat that share land, sea, or air connectivity with Pakistan have been placed on high alert. Officials from these districts, including administrative heads and police officers, participated in a video conference to report on precautionary security measures being implemented locally.