India Launches Nationwide Civil Defence Drills Amid Escalating Tensions with Pakistan

 NEW DELHI – In the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, the Government of India is stepping up civil defence preparedness amid a sharp escalation in hostilities with Pakistan. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed states and union territories to conduct large-scale mock drills on May 7, aimed at enhancing readiness for potential hostile threats, including cross-border strikes.

The MHA has issued a detailed protocol for these drills, which will simulate wartime and emergency scenarios. Key components include:

• Air Raid Siren Readiness: Testing the functionality and reach of air raid sirens to ensure timely alerts to the civilian population in the event of aerial threats.

• Public Awareness and Training: Conducting awareness campaigns and hands-on training for civilians and students on protective measures during hostile attacks.

• Blackout Protocol Implementation: Practicing rapid blackout procedures to minimize visibility of critical infrastructure during potential night-time aerial assaults.

• Camouflage Measures: Early-stage camouflaging of key installations to thwart reconnaissance and targeting by enemy forces.

• Evacuation Strategy Rehearsals: Updating evacuation plans and conducting live drills to ensure a swift, coordinated response in high-risk areas.

The intensified drills come at a time of rapidly deteriorating diplomatic and military relations between India and Pakistan. In response to the Pahalgam attack, India has taken several high-level measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and sealing key land border crossings.

Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack, but responded with its own set of countermeasures — suspending the Simla Agreement, shutting down its airspace to Indian aircraft, and freezing bilateral trade ties.

Military engagements along the Line of Control (LoC) have surged, with reports of nightly exchanges of artillery fire. Both countries have elevated their armed forces to high alert, while international airlines are actively rerouting flights to avoid the increasingly volatile airspace above the subcontinent.

Officials say the May 7 drills are part of a broader strategic response by the Indian government to strengthen homeland security and civil resilience in the face of rising regional threats.

“These civil defence exercises are essential in ensuring that our communities are equipped and informed,” said a senior official from the MHA. “Preparedness is no longer optional — it is imperative.”

As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, the drills underscore India’s commitment to safeguarding its population and critical infrastructure amid an increasingly uncertain regional security environment.