While the country is on high alert amidst a war-like situation with Pakistan, cities like Mumbai and Pune have also heightened security by police.
While Pune is an important metro city considering the civilian population, it is one of the major cities in the defence infrastructure of the country, considering it has over 10 defence institutions including the National Defence Academy (NDA), Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), and Southern Command Headquarters.
Speaking with the Free Press Journal, Ankush Chavhan, Public Relations Officer at the Southern Division of the Ministry of Defence in Pune informed that the city is on Orange alert.
Chavhan said, "Pune is on Orange Alert, which means a high probability of a serious security threat or disaster, but not yet critical. The measures taken during such alert include heightened security measures; the public is advised to remain vigilant; preparations for emergency response are made."
An Orange alert indicates a high likelihood of a significant security threat or disaster, though not yet at a critical level. It triggers heightened security protocols and proactive emergency response preparations.
Pune is home to several defence institutions and military hospitals like Command Hospital, Southern Command; Army Institute of Cardio-Thoracic Sciences; and Military Hospital, Kirkee and AFMC and Artificial Limb Centre.
Here's How Pune Anchors India’s Defence Infrastructure
From research at DIAT to making future soldiers at NDA, Pune has it all. Not just the Army, it also has institutions related to the Navy and Air Force.
Pune is an important centre for India’s defence activities, with many key institutions based in and around the city. These include the College of Military Engineering (CME) in Dapodi, which trains Army engineers, and the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) in Girinagar, focused on advanced defence research under DRDO. Several DRDO labs like the Research & Development Establishment (R&DE) work on technologies such as robotics and missiles. The Ordnance Factory in Khadki (OFK) makes arms and ammunition, while the Military Intelligence Training School & Depot (MINTSD) in Pune Camp trains Army personnel in intelligence. The Southern Command Headquarters in Pune Cantonment is one of the Army’s main command centres. The Air Force Station in Lohegaon supports training and missions, and INS Shivaji in Lonavala trains Navy officers in marine engineering. The Defence Security Corps (DSC) in Pune protects defence units, and the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Wanowrie trains doctors and carries out research in military medicine.
When asked about the security at these organisations, Chavhan said, "So every organisation has tightened their security at their levels, even the airports, and I cannot disclose further details."
