As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Home Ministry has ordered civil defence mock drills across all 244 designated districts on Wednesday, May 7. The directive, issued in light of "new and complex threats" amid a volatile geo-political environment, follows high-level meetings led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Goa, the drill will take place at two locations: Panjim in North Goa and Mormugao-Vasco-Dabolim in South Goa.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a letter circulated through the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards, emphasized the need for states and Union Territories to maintain peak preparedness. The drills aim to assess and enhance the operational readiness of civil defence forces in case of hostile actions.
The move comes on the heels of Pakistan’s second missile test in two days under “Exercise INDUS,” signaling an intensifying security standoff. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the test as a demonstration of the country’s robust defence capability.
The UN Security Council held a 90-minute closed-door session amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Envoys called for restraint and dialogue
The nationwide exercise is designed to simulate a wartime scenario and includes the following objectives:
Assessing the effectiveness of air raid warning systems
Activating and testing hotline/radio communication with the Indian Air Force
Ensuring functionality of control and shadow control rooms
Training civilians, students, and volunteers in civil defence protocols
Implementing crash blackout measures
Camouflaging vital infrastructure
Evaluating civil defence services including firefighting, rescue, and evacuation
Testing depot and warden service readiness
According to the MHA, the drills will be conducted down to the village level, with participation expected from district controllers, local authorities, civil defence wardens, home guards, NCC and NSS volunteers, NYKS members, and school and college students.
The drills are part of a broader strategy to ensure nationwide preparedness as India deliberates its response to the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Modi has pledged decisive action, while Pakistan has called for an independent investigation and warned of potential Indian military strikes.
The coming days may further test the resilience of India's civil and military infrastructure as regional tensions remain high.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)