In the aftermath of the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed all states and union territories to conduct comprehensive civil defence mock drills on May 7.
These drills are intended to assess national readiness for emergencies, particularly in mounting tensions with Pakistan.
Pahalgam Terror Attack
The Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 men, mostly non-Muslim tourists, in the scenic Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, known as “mini Switzerland,” has been attributed to Pakistan-backed terror outfits.
In its wake, bilateral relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have sharply deteriorated.
May 7 Mock Drill
The upcoming mock drills will include a range of preparedness measures: activating air raid sirens, conducting blackout rehearsals, camouflaging critical infrastructure, and reviewing evacuation plans.
Civilians, including students, will also be trained in basic self-protection and civil defence techniques to help them respond during potential hostile attacks.
First Time Since 1971
This marks the first such coordinated civil defence drill since 1971, the year India and Pakistan fought a full-scale war.
At that time, similar drills were conducted to prepare the civilian population for the possibility of aerial or ground assaults.
Ferozepur Blackout Drill
In a precursor to the May 7 exercise, Ferozepur Cantonment in Punjab held a 30-minute blackout rehearsal on Sunday, May 4.
Under orders from the Cantonment Board and Station Commander, all lights in the area were switched off between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 P.m.
Police ensured compliance, stopping vehicles that failed to dim their lights.
“Personnel were deployed at all major intersections and the area remains on high alert,” said Gurjant Singh, SHO of Ferozepur Cantt Police Station.
India-Pakistan Standoff
The situation between India and Pakistan has continued to escalate.
Following the Pahalgam attack, India has responded with a series of retaliatory actions, including the withdrawal of diplomats, closure of certain airspace and ports, and suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
On the other side, Pakistan has reportedly breached ceasefire agreements by engaging in small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) for ten consecutive nights.
(With inputs from IBNS)
