- May 28, 2025
Mock Drill In 4 States: What Will Happen In This Exercise And How You Should Respond
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Notably, civil mock drills were announced in several states for increased defence preparedness after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month.
The Home Ministry had ordered a mock drill in 244 districts across the country on May 7, the day Operation Sindoor was launched. (News18)
A civil defence mock drill is set to be conducted in four states bordering Pakistan on Thursday evening, more than three weeks after India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The mock drill is scheduled to be conducted in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, mock drills were announced in 244 districts for increased defence preparedness after the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month, in which 26 tourists were gunned down.
India had announced a civil defence mock drill on May 7 to test wartime standard operating procedure (SOP) and measures in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. It marks the first national-level civil defence preparedness activity since the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
India launched Operation Sindoor on the same day, launching precise airstrikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan. Despite the airstrikes, civil mock drills took place in several states.
What Is A Civil Defence Mock Drill?
A civil defence mock drill is a response exercise conducted by authorities to test and improve preparedness for disasters or crises like earthquakes, floods, chemical leaks, terror attacks, nuclear emergencies or war.
After mock drills were held in 244 districts earlier this week, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir will hold these drills on the evening of Thursday. Previously, they were held to test he operational efficacy in vulnerable districts and train civilians.
What Will Happen In These Drills?
Air Raid Warning Sirens: A crucial part of the drill is checking the air raid warning system. Testing of air raid sirens will be conducted to ensure that civilians could be promptly alerted in the event of an aerial attack.
Bunkers: In frontline areas, civilians must take shelter in protected zones. Regions close to potential conflict zones, such as Kashmir’s Uri, have begun preparing community bunkers. Students near the international border, like in Arnia, have already practiced evacuation drills for emergencies.
Blackout: Blackout procedures will also be part of the May 7 mock drills. “When a blackout siren sounds, the standard operating procedure must be followed. The drill will evaluate the sirens’ functionality and people’s response efficiency. All stakeholders need to be familiar with the SOP,” officials explained.
Safety of Vital Installations: Civil defence officials mentioned that a list of vital installations is outlined under the act. These include defence, paramilitary installations, hospitals, and other strategically important facilities.
Training Civilians and Students: The final drill aspect will acquaint civilians, students, and hospital staff with civil defence volunteers to ensure they follow instructions during emergencies. Authorities will discuss evacuation plans with institutions during the mock drill.
How You Should Respond
The mock drills will replicate wartime scenarios, requiring citizens to take comprehensive measures to ensure preparedness in the event of a critical situation.
During the drills, you are required to urn off or cover all light sources, including devices like TVs, phones, or tablets. Instead, you should switch to torches and candles, without placing them near windows. All civilians in vulnerable areas should avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary during the blackout.
You should carefully observe how authorities camouflage vital installations to understand its importance and lend support by allowing smooth access. You should also avoid taking photos or sharing sensitive information about the drill online.
You should also keep a basic emergency kit ready, including a torch with extra batteries, water bottles, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit. You should also avoid using mobile phones and panicking during a critical situation.
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