- By Shibra Siddiqui
- Tue, 06 May 2025 03:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
UP Mock Drill: The Ministry of Home Affairs directed a nationwide defence mock drill on May 7 to check preparedness against ‘new and complex threats’. The directive came amid rising security concerns after the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.
According to the notification from the ministry, the mock drills will check preparedness for the functioning of air-raid warning sirens and train civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves if any "hostile attack" takes place
The drill will be carried out in 244 districts across the country, including 19 districts of Uttar Pradesh, on May 7 in a categorised manner.
These UP Districts Will Take Part
In an official list released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 19 districts of Uttar Pradesh have been identified for the mock drill, one placed in category A, two in category C, and the rest 16 districts falling under category B.
District Bulandshaher (Narora) has been identified under category A, Bagpat and Muzaffarnagar will perform the drill under category C. Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Varansi, Bakshi-Ka-Talab, Mughalsarai, and Sarsawa have been included in the list of category B.
‘Will Conduct Mock Drill In All Districts’: UP DGP Prashant Kumar
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, Prashant Kumar, on Tuesday said that although centres have identified 19 districts for the defence mock drills, a comprehensive rehearsal will be conducted in all districts of Uttar Pradesh on May 7. “keeping in view the local sensitivities and preparedness levels, the state government has decided to conduct these mock drills in all districts along with civil administration, Police administration, Fire Services, Disaster Response Force, so that we can deal with any kind of emergency situations,” said DGP Prashant Kumar.
The exercise will involve multiple agencies like police, fire services, and disaster response teams. The drill aims to check response preparedness to respond to emergencies and disasters.
What Is Mock Drill
A mock drill is a response rehearsal during an emergency that helps people and organisations practice their response in a safe environment. It prepares them to react quickly and effectively during actual emergencies, such as fires, earthquakes, medical crises, or security threats. During the exercise, participants act out as if a real emergency had occurred.
What Will Happen During Mock Drill
Hotline and radio links between civil authorities and the Indian Air Force will be activated and tested. The drill will check how well control rooms and their backups (shadow rooms) perform during emergencies. Civilians will be trained to protect themselves during hostile attacks through basic civil defence techniques. Blackout practice may take place, and people may be asked to switch off lights.