The second civil defence mock drill named "Operation Shield," which was earlier scheduled for May 29 and had to be postponed due to administrative reasons, will now be held on May 31, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Thursday.
The exercise will take place across all western States and Union Territories bordering Pakistan, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
What is the purpose of a mock drill?
A drill designed to enhance emergency preparedness amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan was set to simulate responses to hostile scenarios, including drone strikes and air raids.
However, states such as Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab, along with the Union Territory of Chandigarh, officially announced the postponement of the mock exercises late Wednesday evening. Officials cited "administrative reasons" for the decision, though no additional details were provided.
The May 7 civil defence and Operation Sindoor
The first nationwide civil defence exercise was conducted on 7 May, just hours before the launch of Operation Sindoor. According to the Directorate under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the initial drill revealed critical gaps in civil defence preparedness across vulnerable regions. Following the exercise, emergency powers were invoked and funding was allocated through the State Disaster Response Force.
The second round of civil defence exercises was set to include scenarios such as general and silent recalls of civil defence wardens and volunteers.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. In the early hours of 7 May, the Indian Armed Forces carried out targeted strikes on terror camps located at nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
This led to four days of conflict between 7 and 10 May during which India also targeted several Pakistani military bases in retaliatory action. In response, Pakistani forces carried out heavy shelling along the border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
They also attempted attacks in other areas along the International Border in the western sector using drones and missiles.
