India-Pakistan conflict: Bhopal hospitals mark rooftops with red cross

Bhopal: Hospitals in the city are painting large red cross symbols on their rooftops as a precautionary measure amidst rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

Tensions escalated between the two countries in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Subsequently, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan.

Hospitals, both govt and private, have been instructed to paint large red crosses with white backgrounds.

"These instructions were issued on May 7. They were issued to both private and govt hospitals, and the majority of the hospitals have already painted them.

These instructions were issued as a safety measure by the govt," Chief Medical and Health Officer, Bhopal, Dr Prabhakar Tiwari told TOI.

The hospitals, both JP and Hamidia, have already painted red crosses on their rooftops. "We painted it on May 7 itself on the rooftop as per the precautionary measure and instructions issued," Superintendent of the Hamidia Hospital, Dr Sumit Tandon told TOI.

Another major govt hospital in the city, AIIMS, is yet to paint the red cross on the rooftop, but its management has issued instructions to do so on Friday itself.

Spokesperson for AIIMS Bhopal, Dr Ketan Mehra said, "Our Director has issued instructions for painting the red cross on the rooftop on Friday. It is likely to be done on Saturday."

Sources said that the red cross is an internationally recognised emblem that signifies medical facilities and personnel. Protected under the Geneva Conventions, it serves to shield hospitals and other medical units from attacks during armed conflicts.

On Wednesday, mock drills were held in the city as a preparatory and precautionary measure during increasing tensions. The state govt issued guidelines for the drill and other precautionary measures, including marking hospital roofs with a red cross.