The civil defence mock drill known as ‘Operation Shield’ has been postponed, originally slated for May 29 in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Official statements from both state governments cited administrative reasons for the delay. The Rajasthan state home department and the Gujarat information department have confirmed that new dates for the exercise will be announced in due course.
‘Operation Shield’ is part of a broader civil defence initiative designed to enhance emergency preparedness, particularly in border states. Initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this latest series of drills was planned to take place not only in Gujarat but also in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Jammu & Kashmir—regions all bordering Pakistan. The mock drills are intended to simulate various wartime scenarios, including air raids, drone attacks, blackouts, and protocols for civilian evacuation.
The initial phase of these exercises took place on May 7, just hours before the commencement of Operation Sindoor, India’s strategic military campaign. This nationwide drill involved 244 districts and highlighted significant gaps in civil defence readiness, leading to increased government efforts in training and raising public awareness in areas deemed high-risk.
Despite the postponements in Rajasthan and Gujarat, Haryana has confirmed that it will move forward with ‘Operation Shield’ as scheduled on May 29. The drill will take place from 5 pm to 9 pm across all 22 districts of the state. It will cover responses to aerial threats, activation of air raid sirens, communication exercises with Indian Air Force control rooms, and a controlled blackout near critical installations from 8 pm. Essential services, such as hospitals, fire stations, and police units, will be exempt from the blackout.
The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, which manages these drills under the Ministry of Home Affairs, underscored the necessity of such exercises in preparing the civilian populace for emergency situations. The recent changes to the schedule come at a critical time when civil defence infrastructure in the western states is under heightened scrutiny, amid rising regional tensions and the increasing threat of drone and missile incursions.
