Amid the growing tensions with Pakistan, security has been beefed up at several key defence research establishments in the two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The Congress and TDP-led NDA governments in Telangana and AP respectively have reinforced security at sensitive central government and strategic installations, which could be potential targets in the event of retaliatory actions by Pakistan.
In Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy chaired a high-level meeting to assess the security scenario and review protective security measures for central institutions located in the state.
The Chief Minister issued clear instructions to ensure uninterrupted public services. Employees in critical sectors – including power, water supply and milk distribution – were directed not to take leave, and those already on leave were asked to return to duty immediately.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu commended the Indian Armed Forces for the action and pledged the full support of his government.
“With pride, I salute the brave warriors of the Indian Armed Forces for swiftly avenging the Pahalgam terror attack. With their unmatched bravery and precision, they have once again demonstrated that our nation will defend itself with iron will,” he wrote in a post on X.
Hub of defence research institutes
Hyderabad is home to multiple defence institutions.
The Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a leading laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex. It focuses on avionics systems for defence and aerospace.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a missile manufacturer, and the Ordnance Factory in Medak, about 100 kms from Hyderabad, produce armoured vehicles.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has a station at Hakimpet in Hyderabad, which serves training and operational purposes.
Secunderabad is home to the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME).
Andhra Pradesh’s most prominent defence asset is the Eastern Naval Command, headquartered in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam.
The Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, India’s largest, supports critical shipbuilding and maintenance functions.
The city also houses units of DRDO and BDL, including the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), which conducts research on underwater weapons and stealth technologies.
In Nellore district, Sriharikota hosts the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), India’s principal spaceport for satellite launches.
Other key facilities in Visakhapatnam include the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant, and offshore oil and gas infrastructure operated by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
The Power Grid Corporation of India maintains high-voltage transmission networks across the region.
Emergency preparedness
Both states have implemented robust security measures, including increased vigilance at defense and central installations, enhanced public safety protocols, and intensified intelligence-sharing.
Emergency response drills were initiated in line with a Ministry of Home Affairs directive, aiming to simulate potential scenarios such as blackouts and evacuations.
Mock drills were conducted to assess civilian preparedness and ensure smooth execution of evacuation protocols.
Key transit points, including Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Secunderabad Railway Station, saw increased security presence, with bomb detection squads and vehicle checks deployed.
“We are already in a high state of alert. After Operation Sindoor, the security measures that are already in place have further been tightened,” an official from the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam said.
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