New Delhi: The Central government will conduct a civil defence mock drill on Thursday in the four states bordering Pakistan – Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The mock drill has been planned to showcase preparedness against potential terrorist threats and aims to evaluate response strategies in the event of a hostage crisis or terror attack, News18 reported.
Several locations in the four border states were targeted by Pakistan during the four-day military conflict earlier this month, post India’s Operation Sindoor which successfully targeted nine terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK.
About a fortnight after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent civilian men were killed, the Centre had announced civil defence mock drills in 244 districts across the country. Operation Abhyas, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and coordinated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), was conducted on May 7.
The drill came hours after India eliminated over 100 terrorists in precise and measured strikes on terrorist hubs.
Nineteen days after India and Pakistan agreed to halt military attacks against each other, the mock drills are back.
Among the steps which are likely to be part of the mock drill are air raid warning sirens, bunkers, blackout, training civilians and students.
Operation Shield in Haryana
Haryana is not part of the Centre’s plans, but the state government will conduct a major civil defence exercise. Named ‘Operation Shield’, the exercise will be carried out on May 29 across all 22 districts from 5 pm onwards.
Haryana’s mock drills will aim to test emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities.
Hindustan Times quoted additional chief secretary (Home) Sumita Misra as saying that the exercise will involve large-scale mobilisation of civil defence wardens, registered volunteers, and youth organisations, including the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
