As tensions remain high following Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack, India on Wednesday conducted nationwide civil defence mock drills to evaluate its emergency preparedness in the face of complex, modern threats, including the possibility of conflict escalation.
The drills, mandated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), were carried out across multiple major cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Gwalior, and Jaipur—to simulate real-time emergency scenarios and assess local response mechanisms.
Key Drill Locations and Simulations
- New Delhi: Emergency response teams were activated at the NDMC Office and the crowded Khan Market. Scenarios included simulated air raids, blackouts, and evacuation of civilians.
- Mumbai: A detailed emergency protocol simulation took place at Cross Maidan, involving coordination among multiple agencies.
- Pune: A comprehensive civil defence drill was held at Council Hall, testing communication and public response systems.
- Bengaluru: The Halsuru Lake area was the focal point for a mock attack response, including air siren drills and crowd control exercises.
- Gwalior: Authorities executed mock drills in the Sirol area to gauge local readiness.
- Jaipur: On MI Road, first responders practiced evacuation procedures and emergency management under simulated war-like conditions.
Objectives and Measures Taken
The drills tested:
- Air attack response protocols
- Blackout and camouflaging procedures
- Evacuation plan rehearsals
- Crowd control and public communication
- First aid and casualty management
Ahead of the exercise, the civil defence department conducted briefings for personnel across the country. Guidelines included steps for protecting citizens, managing sudden attacks, and minimizing infrastructure damage.
“This drill was essential to assess our resilience under real-time threats,” said an MHA official. “It gives us insights into gaps that must be addressed to keep our citizens safe in any eventuality.”
Backdrop: Operation Sindoor and Heightened Security
The civil defence readiness effort follows India’s precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, launched early Wednesday. The operation saw the Indian Armed Forces strike nine terror camps—four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK)—in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, including one Nepali national.
Top JeM and LeT terror leaders were the focus of the strikes, which were executed using loitering munitions and precision-guided weaponry from Indian soil. The government emphasized that the operation was measured and non-escalatory, aimed purely at eliminating terror infrastructure.
Global Diplomatic Briefings
Following the strikes, NSA Ajit Doval held high-level conversations with counterparts in the United States, Japan, and other strategic partners, briefing them about the nature and objectives of Operation Sindoor. India clarified that the action was a calibrated counter-terrorism response, not a military escalation.
At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted that intelligence agencies are still tracking potential threats and that India remains vigilant against further terror attempts.
Nationwide Support and Readiness
The government’s call for nationwide civil defence drills drew full participation from state and local authorities. In the wake of the all-party meeting held after the Pahalgam attack, leaders across the political spectrum endorsed the Centre’s actions and emphasized national unity.
“Our preparedness must match the complexity of today’s threats. These drills are a reflection of our commitment to protect every Indian citizen,” a senior official stated.
Conclusion
India’s coordinated civil defence exercises, coupled with targeted military action under Operation Sindoor, signal a strategic shift in the nation’s counter-terrorism doctrine. As the country remains on high alert, these drills serve both as preparation and a message: India is ready, united, and resolute in the face of terror.