India orders demolition drive along Pakistan border

Published May 27, 2026 Updated May 28, 2026 12:53am

India’s interior minister has ordered the demolition of illegal buildings within 15 kilometres of the border with Pakistan, his office said Wednesday.

Home Minister Amit Shah is known for his hardline stance on national security, illegal migration and transnational crimes.

“Amit Shah stressed the need for strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against illegal constructions, particularly within 0-15 kilometres of the international border,” the Home Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

“He directed the concerned authorities to demolish all such unauthorised constructions.”

Shah urged officials to boost efforts “to effectively address infiltration, narcotics smuggling, encroachment, terror financing, and other trans-border crimes”, according to the statement.

Shah issued the order while in the western state of Rajasthan, which borders Pakistan.

Opinion

Editorial

Diplomatic resolve
Updated 30 May, 2026

Diplomatic resolve

Iran, too, must engage seriously and provide credible assurances about its nuclear programme if it wants sanctions relief and a more stable relationship with the outside world.
Weaponising water
30 May, 2026

Weaponising water

CLIMATE Minister Musadik Malik’s warning against what he described as “water aggression” indicates ...
Rabies toll
30 May, 2026

Rabies toll

EVERY year, rabies, the deadliest zoonotic disease, kills more than 59,000 people worldwide. In Pakistan, it is one...
Pressure politics
Updated 28 May, 2026

Pressure politics

The attempt to connect the Iran conflict with the Abraham Accords makes little sense.
Eid’s true spirit
Updated 27 May, 2026

Eid’s true spirit

Pakistan celebrates Eid while grappling with economic strain that continues to weigh heavily on ordinary households.
Cotton crisis
Updated 29 May, 2026

Cotton crisis

We need a coherent long-term cotton strategy or else, Pakistan might lose a key pillar of its export economy.