The district administration in Poonch has ordered a civil defence air raid and blackout mock drill from April 20 to April 24, 2026, an official order states. Officials said the exercise is being carried out to improve emergency preparedness in the district.
The exercise will include simulated blackouts, and residents have been advised to cooperate with local authorities and follow safety protocols. These drills aim to strengthen response times, test air raid sirens, and practise blackout measures.
The exercises will be conducted specifically in the Poonch district from April 20 to April 24, officials said. Departments have been directed to ensure smooth coordination, while residents are advised to follow official instructions during the simulated alerts.
On April 17 and 18, a preliminary fire and emergency mock drill was conducted at District Hospital Poonch to boost preparedness.
Residents should expect siren alerts and potential power shutdowns as part of this simulation. Similar exercises are part of wider civil defence preparedness initiatives in the region.
It may be recalled that during the brief India-Pakistan conflict in May last year, after India carried out Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Poonch district suffered massive damage.
Pakistani forward bases along the Line of Control shelled Poonch villages with mortars and heavy artillery, leaving 16 civilians dead and more than 50 injured during the four-day conflict.
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