India Conducts Mock Drills Along Pakistan Border Amid Tensions
The drills are a key component of India's civil defence strategy, aiming to improve coordination and emergency response mechanisms, and to identify areas for improvement, in a bid to enhance national security and public safety.
Large-scale civil defence mock drills are underway in four Indian states along the Pakistan border, including Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana, to test emergency mechanisms and coordination between authorities.
The drills, organized under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios to identify areas for improvement and enhance preparedness. A controlled blackout of 15 minutes will also be observed near vital installations, with the exception of essential emergency services, to assess the effectiveness of emergency response systems.
The exercises come just weeks after a ceasefire was brokered following military escalation between India and Pakistan, highlighting the need for effective civil defence mechanisms. The mock drills are part of a broader effort to prepare for potential threats and improve coordination between civil administration, defence forces, and local communities.
In a related development, Rajasthan's "Operation Shield" civil defence exercise, scheduled for May 29, has been postponed due to administrative reasons. The exercise, which was to be conducted in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar, and Bikaner, was aimed at testing emergency response systems and sounding sirens, and will be rescheduled for a later date.
The mock drills and civil defence exercises demonstrate India's efforts to enhance its preparedness and response to potential threats, and to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, particularly in border regions.