Civil Defence Mock Drills Put on Hold In 6 States Including J&K and Gujarat; Fresh Dates Soon

The large-scale civil defence exercise 'Operation Shield', scheduled for May 29, 2025, has been postponed across several key border states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The exercise, aimed at strengthening preparedness against potential air raids, drone attacks, and missile threats, has been deferred due to administrative reasons, officials confirmed.

Planned as part of India's comprehensive strategy to bolster civil defence along the western frontier, the drill was expected to simulate a full-scale emergency, involving local administrations, police, civil defence teams, and youth volunteer groups. Activities included blackouts, activation of air raid sirens, evacuation drills near military installations, and deployment of medical response teams.

The Haryana government, in line with instructions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, issued a statement confirming the postponement and informed all 22 deputy commissioners. "Operation Shield has been postponed until further notice," the release said.

Chandigarh's administration also echoed the announcement, stating, "There will be no blackout or mock drill tomorrow. Inconvenience is regretted." A similar decision was taken in Rajasthan, where guidelines had been issued earlier for drills in all 41 districts.

Punjab, meanwhile, proposed an alternative date of June 3, citing ongoing training sessions for its civil defence staff by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Centre has reportedly accepted Punjab's request. All deputy commissioners in the state have been instructed to carry out the exercise on June 3 instead.

The Directorate General of Fire Service and Home Guards, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, had initially rolled out Operation Shield following the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting multiple terror camps across the border. Skirmishes between May 7 and 10 also saw Pakistani forces resort to cross-border shelling and drone incursions.

During a previous civil defence exercise on May 7, authorities identified several gaps in emergency preparedness. Following that, fresh instructions and funding support through the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were put in place.

Operation Shield is expected to resume soon, with revised dates to be announced by the central government. Officials assure that the comprehensive drill will be critical to enhancing the country's ability to respond swiftly and effectively to any future hostile attacks along its western front.