Mock Drills In Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, J&K Postponed(image-X/bsf_jammu)

Amid tensions between India and Pakistan, a large-scale mock drill was planned to be conducted on Thursday evening in the border states of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. However, the exercise has been postponed due to administrative reasons, officials said.

The exercise aimed to test air raid warning systems, operational control rooms, and civil defence preparedness in regions that recently came under heavy cross-border attacks during the four-day conflict.

During the exercise, residents in the states would be instructed to remain alert during the drill, which will also involve simulations of emergency response, evacuation protocols, firefighting, warden services, and rescue operations.

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This comes just weeks after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conducted Operation Abhyas, a nationwide civil defence mock drill held on May 7, hours before the launch of Operation Sindoor—India’s retaliatory military campaign in response to Pakistani aggression.

The exercise marked one of the largest mock drills since the 1971 war with Pakistan, covering 250 locations across 33 states and union territories.

During Operation Sindoor, India witnessed repeated air attacks from across the border, which were successfully thwarted. As a safety measure, 32 airports across northern and northwestern India were temporarily shut down.

In Punjab, which shares a 532-kilometre border with Pakistan, all border districts were placed on high alert. Public events were cancelled and schools were shut down in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran districts.

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Similarly, in Rajasthan, which shares the longest border with Pakistan at 1,037 kilometres, all government and private schools in affected border areas were closed as a precaution during and after the conflict.

Officials said Thursday’s drill is designed to ensure readiness for any future escalation and to familiarise civilians with emergency protocols, particularly in vulnerable regions. The mock drill will also help assess weaknesses in current systems and enhance coordination among security, emergency, and civil services.

(With inputs from other agencies)