Many Indians will relive memories of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War as the Centre has ordered major civil defence drills on May 7. This comes just two days after the May 5 directive by the Narendra Modi government, amid growing tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, where terrorists killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
Centre Issues Urgent Order for Drills
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed northern and western states, along with Union Territories, to hold civil defence mock drills. The goal is to test and improve India’s emergency preparedness across vulnerable districts.
“In the current geo-political scenario, new and complex threats/challenges have emerged, hence, it would be prudent that optimum civil defence preparedness in the states/UTs is maintained at all times,” said a letter from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards. This is a rare move. India did not hold such drills even during the 1999 Kargil War.
Who Will Take Part?
The mock drills will involve several key groups:
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District civil defence controllers and authorities
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Civil defence wardens and volunteers
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Home Guards (both active and reserve)
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Students from colleges and schools
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Cadets from NCC, NSS, and NYKS
All will work together to simulate responses to external threats.
What Will the Mock Drills Include?
1. Air Raid Warnings: Authorities will activate air raid sirens in cities and key installations. These loud alarms are meant to alert civilians to incoming aerial attacks, such as missiles or drones.
2. Blackout Exercises: The drills will include sudden power blackouts. Lights in homes and public buildings will be turned off quickly to avoid becoming targets during night-time attacks.
3. Camouflage Measures: Vital infrastructure like power stations, military posts, and communication hubs will be camouflaged. This might include nets, foliage, or paint to hide them from satellite or aerial surveillance.
4. Public Training: Schools, colleges, and workplaces will hold safety workshops. Civilians will learn duck-and-cover techniques, how to find shelters, protect vital body parts, and give basic first aid.
5. Evacuation Drills and Communication Testing: Authorities will rehearse evacuation plans, test hotline and radio communication with the Indian Air Force, and check the functionality of control rooms and backup systems.
Civil defence services like firefighting, rescue teams, and supply depots will also be tested for their readiness.
Why These Drills Matter
The drills follow closely after the blackout exercise in Punjab’s Ferozepur Cantonment by the Indian Army. Experts note that such comprehensive drills haven’t happened since the 1971 war, when civilians were told to cover windows with paper and lie down during sirens.
The drills are seen by some analysts as a sign of rising military alertness. Tensions between India and Pakistan have been rising since the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
Analysts warn that these exercises are more than just routine. They reflect a shift toward preparing for possible conflict. While mock drills for earthquakes or fires are common, the focus here is clearly on external threats.
“These drills aim to prepare civilians for a worst-case scenario. This is no longer about hypothetical threats; it’s a preparation for the very real possibility of war,” experts said.
Delhi on High Alert
In response to the Centre’s order, Delhi Police has stepped up preparations. Senior officers have instructed all DCPs to draft detailed plans. A source stated, “We have already increased day and night patrolling in the city. We have deployed paramilitary forces, along with police personnel, at Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.” DCPs are personally monitoring the situation and holding meetings with ACPs and SHOs.
India’s Strategic Moves Against Pakistan
Apart from internal readiness, India is also working to weaken Pakistan economically and diplomatically after the Pahalgam killings. New Delhi has put the Indus Water Treaty on hold and cancelled all bilateral trade. The government is also looking at global financial bodies like the IMF and FATF to cut off terror funding to Pakistan.
What Lies Ahead?
As the region braces for possible escalation, one question looms large: Is war coming—and when? While India prepares civilians through mock drills, the world watches closely. The drills are not just routine safety checks anymore. They’re a signal of India’s readiness for any situation, including full-scale conflict.
