In view of escalation in tension between India and Pakistan, all government hospitals in Kashmir valley have been directed to paint red-cross signs on the rooftops of the buildings.

'We have been directed to paint red-cross signs on the rooftops of all hospital buildings, in view of escalation in tension between India and Pakistan,' an official of SHMS hospital in Srinagar told UNI. He said similar directions have been given to other government hospital in the valley, including district and sub-district hospitals.

Pakistan fighter jets violated India's air space in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district on February 27, following which Srinagar, Jammu and Leh airports were closed for commercial flights. Pakistani troops also targeted Indian forward positions in Uri sector in north Kashmir. Reports of ceasefire violations also caming from various areas in Jammu region.

Last week, authorities had asked the Chief Medical Officers (CMO) of the valley to collect the viable supplies of drug, medicines and surgical disposable items from the JKMSCL Regional Drugs Ware - GMC Bemina, Srinagar. Meanwhile, the SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on February 26 announced cancellation of second half of winter vacations and other kinds of leave of all faculty members.

However, no reason was given for the cancellation of winter vacation and leave. But, official sources said, the leave and winter vacation has been cancelled in view of prevailing security situation in the valley, where more paramilitary forces were pumped and security and other facilities of separatists were withdrawn after Pulwama fidayeen attack, in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The escalation in tension between the two neighbouring countries comes after IAF fighter jets went across to the LoC early on Tuesday morning and destroyed a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in a press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday said that a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot was destroyed, and a large number of terrorists were eliminated.