Jaipur, Rajasthan: A mock drill simulating air and drone strikes under Operation Sindoor took an unexpected turn in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Saturday (May 31) evening when a swarm of bees attacked senior officials during a staged emergency at Kalisindh Dam.
The drill, designed to test emergency preparedness across the state, was held alongside a synchronised blackout from 8:00 PM across multiple districts bordering Pakistan.
The dramatic bee attack occurred during a hypothetical drone strike scenario. According to reports, several officers, including the district collector and superintendent of police, were present on-site when the bees descended. The officials reportedly fled the scene to escape, momentarily disrupting the drill.
Elsewhere, the blackout drill unfolded as planned. In cities like Jaipur, Ajmer, Barmer, and Sikar, residents turned off lights in homes, offices, and shops, while street lights were switched off to simulate wartime conditions. Vehicles were also seen parked with headlights off. In many areas, the blackout lasted between 15 to 25 minutes, though the level of participation varied.
In Jaipur, a real-time simulation was conducted on Khatipura Road, where a mock air strike on an Army residential colony was staged. “It was simulated that nine villagers were passing through the field. One person died and eight were injured,” Jaipur Collector Dr Jitendra Soni told reporters. Rescue rehearsals included saving people from rooftops using cranes, with actors calling for help to add realism.
At Kalyan Medical College in Sikar, four staged explosions triggered a swift emergency response by fire brigades, ambulances, and civil defence forces. A child reportedly frightened by the scenario was comforted by female police personnel. Rope rescues from the fifth floor were also executed.
These drills, which involved NCC cadets and local authorities, are part of broader civil defence exercises aimed at enhancing response capabilities in high-risk regions near the international border.