In the Valley, they read war writing on the wall, literally

The civil defence department entrusted with educating people about war safeguards has trained more than 8,000 youth for the purpose. The youth would speak to the people about the safety measures to be adopted against possible air-raids.

‘‘Our instructors have trained the youth and they will act as our resource persons to educate people about the precautions to be taken in times of exigency,’’ said Kashmir Civil Defence Department deputy controller Ali Mohammad Zaildar.

He said around 4,000 Home Guards have also been pressed into service. Zaildar said they have distributed pamphlets counselling about dos and don’ts in case of enemy airstrikes.

The department is also planning to mark all the hospital rooftops with the sign of red cross. ‘‘All roads leading to hospitals would be properly distinguished to ferry the injured,’’ he said. The department, with its headquarter at Srinagar, has also upped efforts at Budgam, Uri and Kargil, considered very important from the military point of view.

Not only this, the department will also mark resthouses and possible evacuation centres to avoid enemy attack on them. The UN norm on wars dissuades bombing of civilian and hospital areas.

Zaildar said they have also put on standby the fire-fighting, welfare evacuation and its medical units to meet any exigency.

The communication system has also been geared up and got a fresh look-in, he said, adding that efforts are on to incorporate modern gadgetry for smooth transfer of messages.