Major civil defence exercises to be held in J&K, Chandigarh, other border states on May 31

By: Sajid Raina

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday announced that the second phase of a large-scale civil defence exercise “Operation Shield”, will be held on May 31 (Saturday) across all districts adjoining the western border of the country.

The exercise will be conducted at 1700 hours. The States and Union Territories that would participate in the drill include Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the exercise aims to test and strengthen the nation’s preparedness against hostile threats, including air raids, drone attacks, and mass casualty scenarios.

The initiative follows the first Civil Defence Exercise conducted on May 7, during which several critical gaps in emergency response systems were identified. In response, emergency powers were invoked, and support was arranged through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

The upcoming drill will simulate a range of high-stakes emergency scenarios to assess and enhance the preparedness of Civil Defence and allied forces.

These will include the silent recall of Civil Defence volunteers, supported by youth organizations such as NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts & Guides, to assist in various civil defence measures. Simulations will also involve air raids by enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones, along with the activation of hotlines between the Air Force and Civil Defence control rooms and the use of centrally operated air raid sirens.

Complete blackout measures will be implemented in sensitive zones, excluding critical services, to test civilian response under wartime conditions.

A scenario involving a drone attack on a military station will also be enacted, requiring the evacuation of 20 civilian victims to a safer location.

Also, the drill will include mass casualty management exercises, with the mobilization of medical teams and the provision of 30 units of blood for the injured.

As part of the rear area security plan, the exercise will also simulate the deployment of Border Wing Home Guards in coordination with Indian Army units.

All participating districts have been directed to coordinate with local administration and relevant stakeholders to ensure full-scale implementation.

The Ministry has requested that an action taken report be submitted following the exercise. —(KNO)