India-Pak tensions: Why hospitals across India are painting red crosses on their rooftops

Hospitals in several Indian states have begun painting large red cross symbols on their rooftops amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan following recent cross-border strikes. This is a precautionary step being taken to ensure that medical facilities are clearly marked and protected under international law, in case of any potential air raids or military action.

The red cross symbol is globally recognised and protected under the Geneva Conventions, a set of international treaties that outline humanitarian protections during armed conflicts. According to these rules, hospitals and other medical facilities must not be attacked, and clearly marking them with a red cross helps ensure they are easily identified from the air by all parties involved.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh | Red cross symbol painted on rooftops of hospitals in GwaliorGajra Raja Medical College Dean Dr RKS Dhakad says, "Whenever guidelines are issued with regards to national security, as can be seen in the ongoing situation against Pakistan, all the pic.twitter.com/RIvyv6brTM

ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025

In Jammu and Kashmir, government hospitals such as the Associated Hospital and Government Medical College in Kathua have already painted red cross signs on their rooftops. Hospital authorities have also taken additional precautions, such as stocking up on emergency supplies and organising blood donation drives, to prepare for any possible large-scale emergencies, News9live reported.

Similar measures are being taken in Telangana, where government and private hospitals in Hyderabad and across the state have been instructed to paint large red cross symbols, on a 12x12-foot white background, so they can be clearly seen from the sky. Dr A Narendra Kumar, Director of Medical Education in Telangana, confirmed that the work is being managed by the Telangana Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation. So far, red crosses have been painted on 164 out of 287 hospitals in the state, with the rest expected to be completed soon, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.

In Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, medical institutions like the Gajra Raja Medical College have also painted the red cross. While talking to news agency ANI, Dr RKS Dhakad, the college’s dean, explained that the red cross marking is in line with national security instructions issued by the Indian government and helps ensure hospitals are spared from accidental strikes.

“Whenever guidelines are issued with regards to national security, as can be seen in the ongoing situation against Pakistan, all the hospitals are marked differently with a red cross upon a white circle, as per Geneva Convention international treaty. This is so that the hospitals are spared amidst attacks... Under this we have also painted red cross on our hospital roofs,” Dhakad said.