The civil defence mock drills under 'Operation Shield,' which were scheduled for May 29, 2025, in states bordering Pakistan, have been postponed due to administrative reasons. These states include Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. The exercise aimed to assess the preparedness of these states in the face of potential threats such as air raids, drone attacks, and missile strikes.
The postponement was communicated through official circulars from the information departments of Gujarat, Haryana, and Rajasthan. These circulars stated that the exercise was being delayed due to "administrative reasons" and that new dates would be issued subsequently. Punjab has requested the Centre to reschedule the exercise for June 3, as their civil defence staff are currently undergoing NDRF training.
'Operation Shield' was designed to test the response capabilities of civil defense organizations, assess civilian evacuation protocols, communication infrastructure, coordination between agencies, and overall preparedness in case of external threats. The exercise gains significance in light of recent events, including 'Operation Sindoor' launched by India targeting terror camps and military infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians.
Haryana is proceeding with the exercise, and the state government has asked civil defense officials to conduct 'Operation Shield' at 5:00 p.m on Thursday.
The mock drills were intended to simulate wartime emergencies and evaluate the effectiveness of emergency response systems. The exercise was to involve various activities, including: silent recall of volunteers and civil defence wardens, simulated air raids by enemy drones and aircraft, activation of air raid sirens and emergency communication hotlines and full-scale blackout procedures near vital installations.
The decision to postpone 'Operation Shield' comes after India conducted its first mock drill since 1971 earlier this month, just hours before launching 'Operation Sindoor'. The recent escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, marked by cross-border military clashes and diplomatic fallout, underscores the importance of such preparedness exercises.
The postponement of 'Operation Shield' highlights the logistical and administrative challenges involved in coordinating large-scale civil defense exercises across multiple states and Union Territories. The revised dates for the exercise are expected to be announced soon, and authorities are likely to address the administrative issues that led to the postponement to ensure the smooth execution of the drills in the near future.
These exercises are a crucial part of India's evolving defense strategy, integrating military strength with civil preparedness. They send a clear message that India's response to any threat will be swift, coordinated, and complete, involving not only the armed forces but also the civilian population and local authorities.
