India-Pakistan tensions: Leaves of IAS, PCS officers cancelled by Punjab govt

Representational Image. Pic/ AFP

The Punjab government on Friday cancelled all the leaves taken by Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officers across the state in view of the escalating India and Pakistan tensions.

This comes after Punjab Police cancelled the leave of its personnel few days back. Considering that the Punjab can be an attack-prone amid the ongoing tension between the two nations. The Punjab government is looking to have the maximum availability of their officers and police personnel.

"In view of the prevailing situation and preparedness for the emergency response system, it has been decided that no officer shall proceed on any kind of leave or leave their station of posting without explicit approval of the Chief Secretary Punjab. All the leaves approved so far stand cancelled," said a letter issued by Punjab, secretary personnel, Gurpreet Kaur Sapra; reported by PTI.

The instructions come into force immediately, he said. Sapra also added that leave will shall only granted in exceptional cases with the approval of the competent authority.

"Meticulous compliance may be ensured failing which suitable action under relevant rules shall be initiated," said the letter addressed to IAS and PCS officers.
A blackout was enforced in many cities, including Pathankot, Mohali, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur, on Thursday evening as reported by PTI.

Tensions escalated after Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke, in retaliation for the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Furthermore, taking the situation on a serious note, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains posted on X that all the all government, private and aided schools, colleges, and universities will remain close for the next three days. Moreover, Panjab University in Chandigarh also has also postponed all the exams that were supposed to be conducted on May 9, 10 and 12.