New Delhi: In response to heightened tensions following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, Indian authorities have announced large-scale mock drills across 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir scheduled for May 7. The drills aim to assess disaster preparedness and coordination among emergency response teams.
The districts participating in the mock drills include Anantnag, Budgam, Baramulla, Doda, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kupwara, Leh, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar, Udhampur, Samba, Akhnoor, Uri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Pulwama and Awantipora.
The drills come amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam attack, India accused Pakistan of involvement, a claim Islamabad denies. In response, Pakistan conducted missile tests, including the launch of a 120-km range Fatah surface-to-surface missile.
Both countries have closed airspace, suspended trade, and shut land borders. Diplomatic communications remain closed, and international actors, including Russia and Iran, have expressed concern and called for calm. The public has been advised not to panic and to cooperate with authorities during the exercise.
The home ministry of India has instructed all states to conduct simulated drills across the 244 designated civil defence districts on May 7.
This directive responds to emerging “new and complex threats” in the current geopolitical environment. The order follows high-level meetings led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to strategise India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
Additionally, the directive coincides with Pakistan’s recent missile tests under “Exercise INDUS,” underscoring heightened regional tensions. The Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence, and Home Guards emphasized the need for robust civil defence preparedness nationwide, stressing the importance of maintaining vigilance and readiness in light of evolving threats.
The mock drills aim to assess various aspects of civil defence preparedness, including testing air raid warning systems, operationalising communication links with the Indian Air Force, evaluating control room functionality, and training civilians, students, and emergency services personnel in civil defence protocols.
The exercise is planned to engage participants at the village level across states and Union territories to enhance overall readiness and response capabilities.
