Earlier on May 7, a nation-wide civil defence mock drill, code named Operation Abhyaas, was carried out on recommendations of Union Ministry of Home Affairs to check civil defence response to protect people and shield sensitive installations in case of a threat to nation
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SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Four Pakistan bordering districts of Rajasthan and the entire State of Haryana will carry out mock drill on Thursday to check civil defence response to a possible emergency situation.
Earlier on May 7, a nation-wide civil defence mock drill, code named Operation Abhyaas, was carried out on recommendations of Union Ministry of Home Affairs to check civil defence response to protect people and shield sensitive installations in case of a threat to nation.
The MHA had issued the directive to invoke civil defence mechanisms — under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968. On the basis of threat perception, all the civil defence districts are categorised in three categories. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Surat and Vadodara are among the 12 civil defence districts in category 1, which face highest risk.
Around 200 less vulnerable districts such as Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar and North Goa, fall under category 2. And, 42 districts, including Pulwama, Aurangabad, and Ratnagiri, come under category 3.
Mock drill will be carried out in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Bikaner of Rajasthan on May 29, said Tina Dabi, District Collector of Barmer.
Sirens will be sounded during the drill to alert public to follow the standard operating procedure followed by a blackout, and emergency response systems will also be tested.
Civil defence authorities have begun preparations for the exercise, and instructions are being sent to all concerned districts. Special arrangements are being made in Jaisalmer district, which shares a border with Pakistan, the state officials said.
Second time
This is the second time, the mock drill will be happening to prepare for threat of potential air raids which might take place after the launch of Operation Sindoor by the Indian armed forces against terrorist and military infrastructure of Pakistan.
The bordering districts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir had come under arial attack from Pakistan from May 7 to May 10 following Indian armed forces had struck down 9 terrorist camps across the border.
Likewise, the civil defence exercise, named Operation Shield, will be carried out in all 22 districts of Haryana on Thursday to vet its emergency preparedness.
Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana Home Department, said the exercise aims to test existing emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities, and identify areas that need to be strengthened.
The drill is scheduled to take place between 5 pm and 9 pm under the guidance of the MHA to simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios in the light of current national security concerns.
Published on May 28, 2025
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