A new update has been shared by the government of India regarding the security drill across states bordering Pakistan. According to the latest update, the security agencies will now be conducting a drill on May 31, Saturday.
It is to be noted that this drill will be conducted in a few states/ UT, i.e., Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. The major aim and objective behind this drill is to enhance preparedness and ensure that people are aware of their doings in case of an emergency.
The decision to drill was recently postponed as initially the drill was scheduled to take place on May 29, 2025, and the states to be covered were Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. According to the reports, the first drill was postponed or canceled due to administrative reasons.
Notably, this exercise was conducted under Operation Shield, following the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan that saw heavy attacks.
Confirmation by Top Officials -
While having a discussion by True Scoop News, Special DGP, Civil Defence, of Punjab Sanjeev Kalra mentioned that the directions have been shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
DGP Sanjeeb Kalra stated, “Yes, we’ve received the directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. All arrangements are being finalized in coordination with the district administrations. Our goal is to test and strengthen real-time response capabilities.”
The details -
The sources added that now similar drills will be conducted once a month in border districts of Pakistan. During the drills, people will be instructed to stay on their toes and abide by all instructions from the authorities.
The major goals of security exercises were to test the functionality of control rooms and air raid warning systems. It would also have gauged the performance of civil defense services, including warden services, fire-fighting, rescue, depot management, and preparation of evacuation schemes.
In Gujarat, security exercises were to be conducted in all the districts, and registrations were to be made on the government website to make citizens civil defense volunteers. The security exercise would also involve the saving of people in the case of an air raid.
This was weeks after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had performed Operation Abhyas, a security exercise across the country, on May 7, just hours before India launched Operation Sindoor.
During the recent security exercise, air raid warning alarms were sounded, and civilians and students were given lectures on civil defense procedures on how to guard themselves and others nearby in the event of an attack. The security exercises - the first of their kind since the 1971 war with Pakistan - were conducted in 250 centers in 33 states and union territories.
Following repeated Pakistani air raids, successfully repelled, 32 airports in northern and northwestern India were closed as a precautionary measure.
Punjab, which shares a 532-kilometre border with Pakistan, placed all border districts on high alert, calling off any public functions while directing the closure of schools in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts during Operation Sindoor.
So were all government and private schools in Rajasthan's border regions, a total of 1,037 kilometers shared by Rajasthan with Pakistan.
According to the government of India, "Operation Shield" will focus on several critical contingencies, including:
- Mobilization of Civil Defence Wardens, volunteers, local administration, and youth organizations such as NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts and Guides to support civil defense measures.
- Simulation of air raids, drone attacks, and missile strikes by enemy forces.
- Activation of hotlines between Air Force and Civil Defence Control Rooms, along with centrally controlled air raid sirens.
- Implementation of blackout measures in civilian areas, excluding emergency and critical services.
- Simulation of evacuating 20 victims from a military station attacked by enemy drones to a safer location.
- Augmentation of medical teams and securing 30 units of blood for mass injury scenarios.
- Mobilization of Border Wing Home Guards to support the Indian Army’s Rear Area Security plan.
Public Advisory -
The authorities outlined that the general citizens should not create panic during this phase of mock drill as these initiatives have been conducted for preparedness during the time of emergency.
Further, the Ministry of Home Affairs have appealed the residents and local administrations to offer full cooperation.