New Delhi: In a strategic move to bolster civilian readiness amid heightened border tensions, civil defence authorities will conduct extensive mock drills on Thursday across four Indian states bordering Pakistan—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. The drills come close on the heels of the Indian Armed Forces’ daring cross-border strike, Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist hideouts deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Sources confirm that these simulations are part of a nationwide push to assess emergency response protocols and public safety readiness, given the volatile security climate following the May 7 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives.
In parallel, Haryana is also set to carry out its own coordinated civil defence exercise—codenamed Operation Shield—on May 29, reinforcing the broader national framework for disaster preparedness. These initiatives follow the earlier Operation Abhyas, a large-scale nationwide mock drill held on May 7.
Notably, Operation Abhyas coincided with the timing of Operation Sindoor—a powerful Indian Air Force-led assault targeting terror infrastructure responsible for the Baisaran Valley massacre. Indian forces acted swiftly, decimating enemy defence assets and delivering a stern message of zero tolerance.
Though a temporary ceasefire was brokered on May 10 following Pakistan’s appeal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained a firm stance. Speaking from Gandhinagar, he called the Pahalgam attack “a deliberate act of war,” not mere proxy aggression.
“If Pakistan chooses war, India will respond accordingly,” the Prime Minister warned, adding that the Indian Armed Forces have consistently outmatched adversaries and will not hesitate to act again if provoked.
He further stated, “The terrorists draped in Pakistan’s flag were given state honors—this is no longer covert. This is a declared war strategy. And we are prepared.”
The nationwide civil defence readiness exercises underline India’s commitment to both strategic deterrence and public safety as the region watches closely.
