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

Mixed messaging
Updated 12 Jul, 2026

Mixed messaging

In such a febrile atmosphere, how can the peace process be taken forward?
Way forward
12 Jul, 2026

Way forward

A GROUP of estranged PTI leaders, calling themselves the ‘National Dialogue Committee’ and led by figures like...
Recalled orders
12 Jul, 2026

Recalled orders

WHILE justice should be blind, it should not be oblivious to the human suffering some decisions may cause. This is...
Beyond headcounts
Updated 11 Jul, 2026

Beyond headcounts

WORLD Population Day has traditionally prompted discussions on population growth and fertility rates. This year’s...
Relying on remittances
11 Jul, 2026

Relying on remittances

NO matter how important workers’ remittances are, the record inflow of $41.6bn in FY26 should remind us of the...
Official passports
11 Jul, 2026

Official passports

OUR lawmakers’ sense of entitlement is jarring. Through a set of three laws, the MPAs of KP have quietly granted...