The Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 for effective civil defence
Centre Directs States to Hold ‘Civil Defence’ Drills
Nationwide Mock Drills Ordered to Boost Civil Defence Preparedness Amid Rising Tensions
In response to escalating tensions in the region, particularly after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Union Home Ministry has instructed multiple states to conduct civil defence mock drills on 7 May, government sources confirmed on Monday.
These drills aim to strengthen emergency preparedness and will involve:
- Activation of air raid warning sirens
- Civilian and student training on protective measures during hostile situations
- Implementation of crash blackout procedures
- Camouflaging key installations
- Execution of updated evacuation plans
Blackout Drill Already Underway
A precursor to the nationwide drills was observed on Sunday in Punjab, where a 30-minute blackout was conducted in the Ferozepur Cantonment area.
Under the oversight of the Cantonment Board and Station Commander, all lights were turned off from 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
“Police instructed all vehicles to switch off their lights. Strict monitoring was done at key intersections,” stated SHO Gurjant Singh of Ferozepur Cantt Police Station.
Fallout of the Pahalgam Terror Attack
The heightened alert follows a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, primarily tourists. The government has pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
India’s Strategic Response
In response to the attack:
- The armed forces have been given full operational autonomy to determine the nature and timing of a counteraction.
- Diplomatic and economic measures have been initiated, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
- A blanket ban on all imports and transit of goods from Pakistan has been announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, effectively halting bilateral trade.
Political Consensus and Security Briefings
During an all-party meeting, opposition leaders expressed unanimous support for a decisive and robust government response.
In a briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security, officials linked the attack to recent democratic progress in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the successful elections and ongoing economic development.
