What You Need to Know About India's Massive Mock Drills for Wartime Preparedness

Comprehensive Mock Drills Across Multiple States

On Saturday, extensive mock drills took place in various states and Union Territories along India's western border, ranging from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. These exercises aimed to bolster emergency preparedness and response capabilities during wartime, as reported by officials.

The drills simulated scenarios such as air raids and drone attacks, with emergency response teams practicing rescue operations as part of the civil defense initiative known as Operation Shield. This operation involved regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

Originally set for May 29, the exercise was postponed by the Union Home Ministry. Earlier, on May 7, the government had conducted its first nationwide civil defense exercise.

The drills were announced amid rising tensions with Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalagam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which resulted in 26 fatalities. In response, India executed Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

During the drills, all districts in Punjab and neighboring Haryana participated, showcasing volunteers simulating injuries and being transported on stretchers to ambulances, while firefighters practiced extinguishing fires.

Blackout rehearsals were also conducted in both states and Chandigarh, with electricity turned off in various locations.

An official stated that these drills were essential to simulate critical incidents in light of current national security issues and to assess the effectiveness of emergency response mechanisms in real-time situations.

The exercises saw coordinated efforts from multiple agencies, including fire, police, health, and disaster management, with trained volunteers from the Civil Defence, National Service Scheme (NSS), and National Cadet Corps (NCC) participating.

A significant aspect of Operation Shield was the involvement of approximately 10,000 Civil Defence volunteers, who collaborated closely with the NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and Home Guards.

Blackout drills commenced around 8 PM, lasting from 10 minutes to half an hour in various cities. In Fazilka, a border district in Punjab, the blackout drill was scheduled for 9 PM for a duration of half an hour.

In Chandigarh, a scenario was enacted at the Air Force Station involving an attack by a swarm of enemy drones, prompting the station commander to request civil administration assistance for evacuating families.

Similarly, in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, the drill simulated an enemy drone attack on a military station, leading the station commander to seek immediate help from civil authorities.

An air raid warning siren was activated in Fazilka at 6 PM, marking the start of the drill.

Emergency response teams practiced rescue operations at a school in Khatipura, Jaipur, simulating a hypothetical air attack scenario.

Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force teams swiftly activated their emergency protocols, transporting volunteers posing as injured individuals to nearby hospitals.

During the drill, volunteers pretended to be trapped on rooftops following an airstrike, with rescue teams using cranes for safe evacuation.

Similar mock drills were also conducted in other cities within the state.

In Kashmir, a blackout was observed from 8 PM to 8:15 PM, with lights in government buildings, homes, and businesses turned off.

In Srinagar, lights were extinguished at the Lal Chowk City center, including the historic Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower).

Business activities, vehicular movement, and daily operations were paused for the 15-minute blackout period.

Experts and personnel from the SDRF, Health Department, Fire and Emergency Services, along with numerous students and locals, participated in the exercise.

In Gujarat, drills were executed across 18 districts, including Rajkot, Kutch, Patan, Morbi, Banaskantha, Chhota Udaipur, and Nadiad.

In Ahmedabad, a civil defense mock drill was organized at Sadar Bazar Cantonment in Shahibaug, featuring activities such as volunteer mobilization, air raid simulations, communication system activation, blackout protocols, blood donation camps, and evacuation procedures.