India is set to conduct fresh civil defence mock drills in several states this week amid heightened tensions with Pakistan. The large-scale exercise will take place in Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. India had held its first mock drill since 1971 earlier this month — hours before launching Operation Sindoor. The latest iteration is expected to follow a similar pattern, and aims to test civilian preparedness and official response mechanisms in the event of renewed hostilities.
According to reports citing officials, the drills will take place in various districts bordering Pakistan on Thursday evening. Barner District Collector Tina Dabi told ANI that the exercise would be conducted as per a central government order. Sirens will be sounded during the drill, and emergency response systems will also be tested. Civil defence authorities have begun preparations for the exercise, and instructions are being sent to all concerned districts. Special arrangements are being made in Jaisalmer district, which shares a border with Pakistan.
Details have not yet been shared about the activities planned in other states during the latest drill, but residents can expect air raid sirens, temporary blackouts and various civilian training activities in line with the May 7 pan-India drills.
Operation Shield in Haryana
Meanwhile the Haryana government has announced a state-wide drill codenamed Operation Shield to test emergency mechanisms and improve coordination on Thursday evening. Reports indicate that it will take place across all 22 districts of the state from 5:00 pm onwards and include a short blackout drill. According to an Hindustan Times report, the exercise will involve large scale mobilisation of civil defence wardens, registered volunteers, and various youth organisations. The controlled power outage will be observed from 8:00 pm to 8:15 pm near vital areas. Essential emergency services such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations will be exempted.
Operation Sindoor
Similar mock drill were also conducted across the country on May 7 to prepare for various eventualities. Air raid warning sirens were activated to alert the public, and a blackout was imposed at night to ensure civilian preparedness amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. The Indian military launched Operation Sindoor hours after the drills — targetting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The strike was a response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that had left 26 people dead and several others injured.
(With inputs from agencies)