New Delhi: 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued directives for the second round of mock drills, invoking powers under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968. These exercises will be held in all districts of states and Union Territories bordering India’s western frontier.

A major civil defence exercise under the banner of “Operation Shield” is set to be carried out today in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Jammu & Kashmir. This follows a nationwide drill conducted on May 7, initiated in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.

 Punjab and Haryana

In Punjab, officials have confirmed that blackout protocols will be implemented in civilian areas close to vulnerable points. Emergency services, including hospitals and critical infrastructure, will remain operational. Air raid sirens will also be tested as part of the drill.

A 15-minute controlled blackout has been scheduled from 8 pm to 8:15 pm near key locations, with exceptions granted to essential services like hospitals, police stations, and fire departments. Rajasthan will also participate in the exercise, with mock drills planned across all 41 districts. According to ANI, the drills will encompass a range of simulated threats and responses.

The Haryana government has announced that the mock exercises will be conducted across all 22 districts, starting at 5 PM. These drills will simulate various emergency situations such as aerial bombings, drone intrusions, and other wartime contingencies.

Wartime drill scenarios

The drills will cover seven different scenarios. These include: silent or general recall of civil defence volunteers and affiliated groups like the National Cadet Corps; enemy aircraft strikes; drone and missile attacks; activation of direct communication lines between air force and civil defence control rooms; and full blackout protocols in civilian-bordering areas.

Additional simulations will involve the handling of drone attacks on military bases leading to civilian evacuation, the scaling up of medical facilities for mass casualty situations, and the deployment of border wing home guards to support the Army during wartime emergencies. The coordinated drills aim to strengthen readiness and coordination among civil and military agencies, reinforcing the country’s preparedness against evolving threats.

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