Operation Shield: Mock drill again today in four states bordering Pakistan, practice to avoid air strikes

Amid the ongoing tension with Pakistan, mock drills will be conducted again on Saturday in the four border states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat along with Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. This drill, which is being conducted under Operation Shield, will practice evading air strikes. Along with this, security and emergency arrangements will also be checked. After this, a blackout will also be done in the late evening.

This drill was earlier scheduled to be conducted on Thursday under Operation Shield, but it was postponed due to administrative reasons. Mock drills are being conducted for the first time after the ceasefire with Pakistan came into effect on the evening of May 10.

Preparations for the mock drill on Saturday in six states have been completed. Officials held a meeting on Friday to review the preparations and gave necessary instructions to the concerned officials. Civil defense officials urged the states and the Union Territory to plan and organize the mock drill from 5 pm on Saturday, involving all the local administration.

The Directorate General of Fire Services and Home Guards has said that the mock drill will explain the ways to deal with enemy aircraft, drones, and missile attacks. During this, sirens will be sounded and emergency response systems will also be tested. Civil defense officials urged the states and union territories to plan and organize mock drills from 5 pm on Saturday involving all local administrations.

Practice to deal with emergencies

During Operation Shield, various actions will be taken to ensure the readiness of the local administration regarding civil security, taking the services of volunteers like NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides, establishing hotlines between the Air Force and Civil Defense Control Room regarding enemy aircraft and missile attacks, activating air raid sirens, ensuring blackouts, safety of public and property. Earlier, after the Pahalgam terror attack, a mock drill was conducted in 244 districts on May 7 on the instructions of the Union Home Ministry.

This will happen in the mock drill.

As per the instructions of the Home Department, the mock drill will be conducted in one place in a district.

Ways to avoid enemy aircraft, drone, and missile attacks will be explained

Air raid warning sirens will be sounded

Emergency response systems will also be tested

Preparations to ensure complete blackout

Ensuring the safety of important bases, buildings, and establishments

Preparations to send people from dangerous places to safe places

Preparations to establish a hotline between the Air Force and the Civil Defense Control Room in case of aircraft and missile attacks

Testing the preparations and readiness of the local administration

Taking the services of volunteers like NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides