Across India, a large-scale civil defence exercise, dubbed "Operation Abhyaas," was conducted on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, simulating emergency scenarios in 244 high-threat districts. The nationwide drill, initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aimed to test the preparedness of authorities and familiarize citizens with safety protocols in the face of potential threats.
The exercise included a range of simulated hostile scenarios, such as air raids, fire emergencies, building collapses, and rescue operations. Sirens blared, and blackouts were implemented in select areas, prompting evacuations and emergency response simulations. The drills also included setting up temporary hospitals and evacuating civilians to designated safe zones.
In Delhi, authorities conducted mock security drills across 55 locations, including Khan Market, Chandni Chowk, NDMC and RBI buildings, and the Indira Gandhi International Airport. These drills involved the activation of sirens, instruction for immediate evacuation, rescue simulations, and first aid demonstrations. A 15-minute blackout was observed in the NDMC area of Delhi between 8:00 pm and 8:15 pm. Delhi Fire Services deployed cranes to simulate rescuing individuals from high-rise buildings.
In Mumbai, the exercise involved over 10,000 volunteers and tested air-raid warning systems, shelter readiness, and evacuation procedures. Civil defence volunteers, including NCC cadets, home guards, and students, participated in the simulations. Select locations in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) experienced brief power blackouts following a siren. At Borivali station, passengers chanted "Jai Hind" as security personnel offered reassurance. Around 850 civil defence volunteers were deployed across Central Railway's five divisions: Mumbai, Solapur, Pune, Bhusawal, and Nagpur.
The drills extended to other major cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh. In Ranchi, a mock drill was scheduled in the Doranda area, with officials urging the public to remain calm during the simulation. Lucknow police also conducted a mob drill to showcase preparedness and deterence.
The coordinated drills occurred amidst heightened tensions, following recent events, specifically the Indian military strikes under Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs cited "new and complex threats" as the reason for the nationwide preparedness initiative. Blackouts were implemented to hinder enemy aircraft from identifying and targeting structures, thus protecting civilians.
Operation Abhyaas involved various stakeholders, including security personnel, civil defence volunteers, emergency services, and civil defence organisations. The exercise aimed to enhance coordination and response capabilities in emergency situations, ensuring that relevant agencies are well-prepared to protect citizens and infrastructure.
