A few days after Operation Sindoor targeted terror camps across the border, India will carry out full civil defence drills on Thursday evening in four states near the Pakistan border – Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Operation Sindoor was launched on the intervening night of May 7 and May 8 in coordination of all three military forces following Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
These coordinated mock drills are aimed at assessing public preparedness and civil defence readiness in case of a hostile attack. The drills will simulate wartime scenarios, including the sounding of air raid sirens, crash blackouts, evacuation protocols, and public safety responses. Residents in the border districts are advised to remain calm but alert during the exercises.
This drill comes after Operation Abhyas, a civil defence exercise held on May 7, just before Operation Sindoor.
During Abhyas, air raid sirens were tested, and people—including students—were trained in how to stay safe and help others during emergencies.
The MHA’s directive, issued, mandated several measures:
- Activation of air raid warning systems
- Camouflaging of vital infrastructure
- Training schoolchildren and civilians in basic self-protection
- Testing of evacuation and blackout readiness protocols
- Officials say the drills will involve coordination between local police, disaster response teams, fire services, and the armed forces. Special alerts and public announcements will be made through loudspeakers and local media before the drills begin.
The government decided to hold large civil defence drills after Operation Sindoor, which was India’s response to the Pahalgam attack.
Experts say the drills show that India is ready for any threat and also serve as a warning to enemies.