In a bid to ramp up emergency preparedness following heightened tensions with Pakistan, India on Saturday conducted comprehensive civil defence drills in states bordering its western neighbor. The large-scale exercise was part of Operation Shield, a national emergency readiness programme overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The drills were carried out across key border states including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, regions considered to be at heightened risk in the event of military escalations. The latest phase of Operation Shield included blackout simulations, coordinated evacuations, and emergency response exercises—all designed to evaluate the agility and coordination of civil defence forces in a wartime scenario.
This follow-up drill came just weeks after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, a military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, predominantly of Hindu pilgrims. On the same day as the military operation, the first round of civil defence drills was conducted nationwide, marking a significant shift in India’s domestic security preparedness.
Key Drills Across Regions:
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Chandigarh: Authorities practiced blackout scenarios and received mock evacuation alerts to test response times. Home guard units participated in movement coordination exercises.
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Srinagar: The heart of the city witnessed a simulated fire outbreak and a 10-minute blackout at Lal Chowk. The focus was on firefighting operations and rapid rescue deployment.
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Amritsar: Similar protocols were executed, with officials emphasizing inter-agency coordination under high-pressure conditions.
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Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and J&K Districts: Additional drills were held in Ahmedabad, Jaipur’s Khatipura area, and the border districts of Akhnoor, Doda, and Poonch, with civilian awareness and cooperation playing a key role.
