India is set to conduct extensive mock drills in states and union territories bordering Pakistan on May 29, 2025. The exercise aims to evaluate and enhance civil defense preparedness amid heightened tensions between the two nations following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The states and UTs involved include Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir.
These drills are not isolated events but part of a broader strategy to ensure readiness in the face of potential threats. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed these regions to conduct full-scale exercises that simulate wartime scenarios. These simulations will involve the activation of air raid sirens, implementation of blackout measures, and the setup of emergency control rooms. Evacuation rehearsals will also be conducted to ensure the swift and safe movement of civilians from vulnerable areas. Coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be a key component of the exercise, integrating aerial defense strategies with ground-level civil defense efforts.
The need for these drills has been amplified by recent events, most notably the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death of 26 tourists on April 22. India has strongly condemned the attack, attributing it to cross-border terrorism and vowing a "zero-tolerance" approach to such threats. In response to these events and escalating tensions, India has initiated "Operation Sindoor," and is taking decisive steps to bolster its defense capabilities and preparedness.
The mock drills will encompass a range of critical activities. Air raid warning sirens will be tested to ensure they are fully functional and can effectively alert the population. Blackout simulations will be implemented in select areas to practice managing essential services and civilian activities during periods of darkness. Civilians, including students, will receive training on safety protocols to follow during aerial or ground assaults. The rehearsals will also focus on camouflaging vital installations such as power plants and military infrastructure to protect them from potential attacks.
These measures are designed to enhance the preparedness of both the civilian population and the administrative machinery. By conducting these drills, authorities aim to identify and address any gaps in their response capabilities, ensuring a more coordinated and effective defense strategy.
Similar drills were conducted across 259 categorized civil defense districts throughout the country earlier this month. Those drills involved multiple states and Union Territories, focusing on regions with sensitive installations like nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams, and vulnerable cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
The Indian Air Force will also be conducting high-intensity aerial exercises over the desert sector and adjoining areas along the Western border. The air force has also been holding drills, including practicing landing fighter jets on expressways and simulating strikes over central India.
The current heightened state of alert also includes measures beyond the drills. Leave has been reportedly cancelled at Munitions India Limited (MIL) factories to ensure the readiness of domestic weapons production.
