MHA orders nationwide Civil Defence Drill as India prepares for response to Pahalgam attack
Among the drills to be conducted, the most notable will involve the operationalisation of air raid warning sirens—an unusual and telling measure that indicates the government's readiness for a possible hostile engagement.
NATIONAL
In response to the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including 25 tourists, on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued urgent directives to states across India to conduct full-scale civil defence mock drills on May 7. This move marks a significant escalation in the country's preparations amid growing security concerns.
The brutal attack, which has left the nation in shock, has triggered heightened security measures across the country. Sources within the government revealed that the mock drills, set to take place on May 7, will focus on critical civil defence protocols aimed at protecting civilians in the event of further attacks. Among the drills to be conducted, the most notable will involve the operationalisation of air raid warning sirens—an unusual and telling measure that indicates the government's readiness for a possible hostile engagement.
Key activities outlined in the MHA directives include:
Training of Civilians and Students: Special emphasis will be placed on educating civilians and students in essential civil defence techniques, ensuring they are well-prepared to protect themselves during potential attacks.
Crash Blackouts: A protocol that involves temporarily concealing cityscapes and infrastructure from aerial surveillance or strikes will be rehearsed. This step is a precautionary measure aimed at minimizing vulnerabilities.
Camouflaging Vital Plants and Installations: A standard wartime tactic, this will focus on safeguarding critical national assets by blending them into the surroundings, thus making them less visible to any aerial threats.
Evacuation Plans: Authorities will update and rehearse evacuation plans, ensuring that civilians can be rapidly moved to safety if necessary.
The timing of these drills has attracted attention from defence and strategic circles. This order from the MHA, coupled with a series of high-level security meetings involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Secretary, and the three armed forces chiefs, suggests that India may be gearing up for a strong retaliatory response to the attack. Speculation is rife that the country could take decisive action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre.