- By Aditya Jha
- Mon, 05 May 2025 06:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Home Ministry on Monday has asked multiple states to conduct mock drills in for effective civil defence on May 7, reported ANI, citing government sources. The report suggested that several measures will be undertaken, including operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens, training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack, provision of crash black out measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital plants/installations, and Updation of evacuation plan & its rehearsal.
MHA has asked several states to conduct mock drills in for items for effective civil defence on 7th May: Government of India Sources
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2025
Following measures will be undertaken -
1.Operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens
2. Training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil…
The instruction from the central government came amid an escalated tension with Pakistan after Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people lost their lives. The officials stated that the order was released to alert the civilians in case of potential cross-border attacks, reported India TV. The announcement is also considered crucial, as such a mock drill was conducted in 1971 (during the war between India and Pakistan).
A 30-minute rehearsal for blackout was conducted in the entire Ferozpur Cantonment area on Sunday amid the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The rehearsal was conducted on the guidelines of the Cantonment Board/Station Commander.
"The blackout was from 9 pm to 9:30 pm. As per the orders of the senior officers, lights were fully switched off. If any vehicle was found with its light turned on, it was turned off...Police are fully alert. Deployment has been made at all intersections," Gurjant Singh, SHO, Ferozepur Cantt Police Station was quoted as saying by ANI.
The government has given the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The government has also announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.