Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, full-scale civil defence mock drills were held across the country on Wednesday to assess India’s preparedness for emergency response.
This follows a directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday, instructing all states and union territories to conduct the drills to evaluate their readiness against “new and complex threats.”
The drills are being conducted in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Gwalior, and Jaipur, with a focus on evaluating local response capabilities to potential security challenges.
In Delhi, comprehensive mock drills took place at the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Office and the bustling Khan Market area, simulating real-life emergency scenarios.
In Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, the drills were carried out in the Sirol area to test the local emergency response mechanisms.
In Mumbai, Maharashtra, emergency protocols were tested at Cross Maidan, while in Pune, a detailed civil defence mock drill took place at Council Hall.
In Bengaluru, Karnataka, drills were held at Halsuru Lake, and in Jaipur, Rajasthan, exercises were conducted on MI Road to further ensure the city’s readiness for any unforeseen threats.
These drills are a critical part of assessing India’s preparedness to handle complex security situations, offering essential insights into the country’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively.
Following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists, the Government of India announced the nationwide civil defence mock drills.
The MHA mandated that the drills include simulations of blackouts, air raid sirens, evacuation procedures, and public training sessions aimed at preparing the population for war-like emergencies.
On Tuesday, civil defence authorities convened a meeting with all personnel to discuss strategies for protecting citizens during potential air attacks. Guidelines were issued for safeguarding the public and managing emergency situations.
Civil defence teams were also briefed on the actions citizens should take during sudden attacks, including necessary precautions to minimize damage. Crowd management techniques during disasters were also discussed.
Preparedness measures included implementing blackout protocols, early camouflaging of vital installations, updating evacuation plans, and conducting evacuation rehearsals.
In a coordinated response, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir—areas from which terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.
ANI