Mock Drill: Six states and UTs bordering Pakistan are set to conduct a civil defence mock drill today (Saturday) under ‘Operation Shield’ after the directives from the Home Ministry.
The mock drills were earlier scheduled for May 29 but were postponed for administrative reasons.
The states and UTs where the mock drill will be conducted are Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chandigarh.
Operation Shield in 4 states and 2 UTs follows a similar nationwide exercise conducted on May 7 during the recent skirmishes between India and Pakistan.
Why mock drill when tensions eased?
The notice directing Operation Shield highlighted that the critical gaps in readiness were revealed during the first exercise, which prompted the need to fill them. The MHA issued directives, based on those findings, invoking emergency power and arranging funding through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Mock drill in Haryana
The civil defence exercise in Haryana will be held in all 22 districts for four hours between 5 pm to 9 pm. A controlled blackout will be observed between 8 pm to 8:15 pm at all significant installations, except emergency services.
Across 32,000 civil defence volunteers are expected to participate in the drill in the state.
Mock drill in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, all 41 districts will undergo a civil defence mock drill at 5 pm. The entire procedure of air sirens and blackout will be followed. The district administrations have made preparations.
Preparations for seven scenarios
During the drill, the centrally controlled air sirens will be blown. In civilian areas, blackout protocol will be enforced, and the families will be evacuated from the military stations to enhance readiness in case of a drone strike. The preparations have been done for seven scenarios:
-General or silent recall of civil defence volunteers and groups like the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
-Air raids by aircraft, missiles, and drones of the enemy.
-An enemy aerial attack on military stations prompting families’ evacuation.
-Attending to medical emergencies in case of mass injuries.
-Deployment of border wing home guards to assist Army
-Activation of hotlines between the air force and civil defence control rooms.
-Complete blackout in civil areas