Civil defence authorities conducted a series of large-scale security exercises on Saturday in several Indian states bordering Pakistan, including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan, as part of Operation Shield, a nationwide preparedness initiative overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This marked the second phase of the drills, which are designed to test emergency readiness through blackout simulations, evacuation exercises and coordination among civil defence personnel and first responders.
The operation comes in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following last month’s terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.
The first phase of Operation Shield was carried out on 7 May, just hours before the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre.
It was the first such widespread drill campaign since the 1971 India-Pakistan war, covering 250 sites across 33 states and union territories.
In Chandigarh, officials tested emergency responses through blackout drills and simulated evacuation operations. Local officials received a mock alert from Chandigarh Air Force Station regarding the relocation of civilians.
Twenty individuals were moved to a designated community centre, with authorities monitoring response times and readiness.
“We conducted the second civil defence drill here with scenarios including a call from the Air Force Station. We ensured the movement of 20 people to Sector 47 community centre and monitored how quickly home guards were mobilised,” said Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav.
In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, officials carried out a simulated fire emergency along with a 10-minute blackout in the central Lal Chowk area. The drill focused on firefighting response, evacuation and assessing equipment and manpower readiness.
“We followed MHA guidelines for the Operation Shield exercise, which aimed to test infrastructure, equipment and team preparedness. A 10-minute blackout was part of the operation,” said District Magistrate Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat.
In Punjab’s Amritsar, similar drills were held, including blackout protocols and evacuation checks. Authorities stressed the need for readiness in border districts such as Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Firozpur and Fazilka.
“These areas are vulnerable in a conflict. The exercise was aimed at ensuring civil defence departments can function efficiently during war-like situations. It educates people on how to stay safe during drone attacks, blackouts and air strikes,” said Commandant Jaskaran Singh.
Additional drills under Operation Shield were conducted in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the Khatipura area of Jaipur in Rajasthan, and in the Jammu and Kashmir districts of Akhnoor, Doda and Poonch. These regions have experienced recent cross-border shelling and remain on alert.
“This is a proactive awareness measure. We want residents to know what to do if shelling happens again,” said Akhnoor SDM Mukhtar Ahmad.
Follow us
