A large-scale civil defense mock drill is scheduled to take place in four critical Indian states that share a border with Pakistan—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. This initiative follows the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists and represents the first nationwide civil drill effort since the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
The Home Ministry had previously announced the execution of mock drills in 244 districts across the country on May 7, coinciding with India’s launch of Operation Sindoor, aimed at targeting terror infrastructure located across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The primary objective of these drills is to evaluate the efficiency and speed of the civil and defense agencies’ responses to emergency situations such as air raids, terrorist assaults, and wartime scenarios.
Key segments of the forthcoming drill will include the activation of air raid sirens to assess the readiness of response systems and the implementation of blackout protocols. In areas close to the Line of Control, particularly in Uri, community bunkers have been established, while school children in border towns like Arnia have already participated in evacuation exercises.
The safety measures being put in place also emphasize the protection of essential infrastructure. This includes military and paramilitary installations, hospitals, and communication centers. Civil defense teams will work in conjunction with local organizations to provide education to civilians, students, and staff regarding emergency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), evacuation techniques, and designated shelter locations.
Officials are advising residents in the areas impacted by these drills to remain calm and follow instructions issued during the siren tests. They emphasize the importance of treating the drill with seriousness, as its primary goal is to bolster the nation’s civilian defense capability amid increased regional tensions.
