Civil defence mock drills are set to resume from Thursday in four Indian states bordering Pakistan — Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir — as part of ongoing efforts to enhance emergency preparedness amid heightened security concerns. The announcement comes weeks after India launched Operation Sindoor, a military strike against terrorist hideouts across the border.
The drills follow the nationwide civil defence exercises initiated after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives. These exercises, part of “Operation Abhyaas,” include blackout drills, air raid sirens, evacuation protocols, and public awareness campaigns aimed at preparing civilians for wartime emergencies.
In addition to these states, Haryana will conduct a major state-wide civil defence exercise named “Operation Shield” on May 29. The exercise will begin at 5 pm across all 22 districts of Haryana and aims to test emergency response mechanisms and strengthen coordination among civil administration, defence forces, and local communities.
Sumita Misra, Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home), told HT that the drill will involve large-scale mobilisation of civil defence wardens, registered volunteers, and youth organisations such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and Bharat Scouts and Guides. A 15-minute controlled blackout will be observed from 8 pm near vital areas, with essential services like hospitals, fire stations, and police stations exempted.
These mock drills come at a sensitive time, weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to a bilateral ceasefire following Operation Sindoor. The operation was a decisive military action targeting nine terrorist hideouts across the border, with the strikes documented and publicised by India to demonstrate transparency.
During a rally in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on May 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the ongoing conflict is no longer a proxy war. He stated that Pakistan’s practice of giving state funerals to terrorists signals a deliberate military strategy to wage terror. Modi said, “This is a land of the brave. Until now, what we used to call a proxy war, after the scenes witnessed post-May 6, we can no longer make the mistake of calling it a proxy war. The reason is that when nine terrorist hideouts were identified and destroyed within just 22 minutes, it was a decisive action.”
The Prime Minister emphasised India’s commitment to peace and progress but warned that the country will respond firmly to any aggression, stating, “You are already at war, and you will receive the response accordingly. We do not seek enmity with anyone. We want to live peacefully. We also want to progress so that we can contribute to the welfare of the world.”
The civil defence mock drills in these sensitive border areas are a critical part of India’s strategy to prepare citizens and authorities alike for any potential emergencies, bolstering the nation’s resilience amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Sources By Agencies
