Operation Shield: Second Civil Defence Mock Drill Rescheduled for May 31 in Western Border States

New Delhi, May 30, 2025: The second civil defence mock drill, dubbed “Operation Shield,” initially planned for May 29, 2025, but postponed due to administrative reasons, is now set to take place on May 31, 2025. The exercise will be conducted across all western states and Union Territories bordering Pakistan, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh, to bolster emergency preparedness amid heightened tensions with Pakistan.

The drill, orchestrated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to enhance civilian readiness for potential wartime scenarios, such as air raids, drone attacks, and other cross-border threats. It follows the successful execution of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, where India conducted precision strikes on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.

Key Features of the Mock Drill

• Scope and Scale: The exercise will cover all districts in the border states and Union Territories along the western border, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chandigarh. It is designed to test response mechanisms for air raids, drone attacks, and missile strikes.
• Activities Planned: The drill will include a 15-minute blackout in high-risk zones, testing of air raid sirens, and simulated rescue operations involving civil defence wardens, NCC, NSS, Scouts-Guides, and local administrative teams. Approximately 20 mock casualties will be “rescued” and evacuated to safer locations, with hospitals conducting mass casualty drills to ensure readiness of blood banks and emergency services.
• Security Measures: The Indian Army has requested the rapid deployment of Border Wing Home Guards to support designated armed forces units as part of the Rear Area Security Plan. Rapid deployment of Homeland Security Forces near border areas will also be a critical component.

Background and Context

The rescheduling of Operation Shield comes in the wake of recent cross-border tensions, particularly following Operation Sindoor, which was preceded by a nationwide civil defence drill on May 7, 2025. That exercise exposed critical gaps in preparedness, including non-functional hotlines, malfunctioning sirens, and insufficient training among volunteers, prompting corrective measures.

The April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, heightened security concerns, leading to India’s retaliatory strikes and increased vigilance along the 532-km Punjab-Pakistan border and the 1,037-km Rajasthan-Pakistan border. During the earlier conflict, Punjab canceled public gatherings and closed schools in border districts like Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar, while Rajasthan shut down schools in its border areas.

Regional Updates

• Punjab: Initially unable to participate on May 29 due to ongoing training of civil defence personnel with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Punjab has proposed June 3, 2025, for its mock drill, a request accepted by the Central Government.
• Haryana: Despite earlier reports of postponement, Haryana is now confirmed to participate on May 31, with a 15-minute blackout planned from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM across all 22 districts.
• Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Chandigarh: These regions will conduct the drill on May 31 as part of the coordinated effort to strengthen civil defence infrastructure.

Public Advisory

Residents in the affected regions are advised to remain vigilant and comply with directives from local authorities during the drill. The exercise will involve air raid sirens and simulated emergency scenarios but is not a cause for alarm. The public is urged to cooperate with civil defence teams and emergency services to ensure the drill’s success.

Future Plans

Sources indicate that such civil defence drills may become a monthly occurrence in districts along the Pakistan border to maintain heightened preparedness in response to ongoing security challenges. The Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized the importance of addressing gaps identified in previous exercises to ensure robust civilian and military coordination.

The rescheduled Operation Shield mock drill underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its border regions and enhancing national security in the face of evolving threats. Further updates on the exercise and its outcomes will be provided as new information becomes available.