New Delhi: Security drills aimed at ensuring effective responses to potential military attacks will be conducted across 244 Civil Defence districts, including 100 areas deemed ‘highly sensitive’ such as the national and financial capitals, Delhi and Mumbai, as well as operational nuclear power plants, on Wednesday.
This marks the first instance of such drills since the 1971 war with Pakistan. The government’s initiative to evaluate the readiness of civil defence protocols arises amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan regarding Pahalgam, following an attack on April 22 that resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily civilians, which India attributes to the Pakistani deep state.
Fire Drills In UP, Air Raid Responses In Jammu
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly granted the armed forces the authority to execute a military response, raising concerns that the Pakistani Army may retaliate against Indian cities. In light of this potential threat, the Home Ministry has instructed states to carry out these drills to assess various civil defence measures, including the functionality of air raid warning sirens, control rooms, and communication lines with the Air Force.
Furthermore, states and Union Territories have been directed to educate civilians on civil defence procedures and ensure the operational readiness of essential services such as firefighting. The upcoming security drills will also simulate blackouts in the event of enemy air strikes and facilitate emergency evacuations.
These exercises, along with others focused on camouflaging critical sites like power plants, factories, and public infrastructure, will occur in numerous locations nationwide, including the national capital, Delhi, and major urban areas like Mumbai and Bengaluru. Some districts have already commenced these drills in collaboration with police, local authorities, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Visuals released by news agency ANI depicted students in Jammu schools responding to an air raid alert by taking cover under their desks and receiving instructions on additional emergency protocols.
In a recent video from Uttar Pradesh, police and local government officials participated in a fire drill, extinguishing a simulated fire contained in a small box by covering it with a large red cloth. They also practiced evacuating potentially injured individuals by carrying them on their backs. In the Civil Lines area of Lucknow, air raid sirens were activated in preparation for upcoming drills, which will incorporate crowd control strategies to prevent stampedes during an attack.
Officials confirmed that 19 locations in Uttar Pradesh have been designated as high-risk areas. Meanwhile, Delhi Police received briefings on civil defense strategies and emergency protocols for potential attacks in high-traffic areas, such as the well-known Connaught Place market. Concerns also extend to districts adjacent to Pakistan, including those in Rajasthan and Punjab.
Police and border officials remain vigilant against terrorists attempting to cross the border, as well as potential spies providing intelligence to adversaries, whether from the Pakistani deep state or terrorist groups, regarding defense installations like Army or Air Force bases in the vicinity.
Superintendent of Police Sudhir Choudhary from Jaisalmer, a district situated less than 200 kilometers from the Pakistani border, stated, ‘Anyone who leaks information for financial gain will face severe consequences. If someone is doing so out of fear or is being blackmailed by the Pakistani side, they must inform us… We are monitoring everyone… all intelligence agencies are operational.’ Additionally, 20 districts in Punjab will conduct security drills involving civil defense teams and police, as announced by Home Minister and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Security exercises will also take place across 12 locations in Odisha, including the temple town of Puri, which is set to host the Rath Yatra, a significant Hindu festival attracting millions of devotees on June 27. An elite team of National Security Guard commandos is present in Puri to coordinate security efforts in collaboration with the state police at the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Drills, including air raid alerts, will be conducted in three districts of Karnataka and fifteen in Gujarat. Meanwhile, in Manipur, customized motorcycles have been introduced to the firefighting services in the capital city of Imphal to facilitate swift responses during emergencies. KH Surchandra Singh, a senior officer in the fire services, informed ANI that the Imphal area is prone to heavy traffic, and the narrow streets make it difficult for fire trucks to access certain locations.
Therefore, the use of firefighting motorcycles has been implemented. In total, there are three classifications of Civil Defence Districts in India, ranging from Category 1 to Category 3. Notable locations classified as Category 1, or high-risk areas, include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and districts such as Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, Surat in Gujarat, and Tarapur in Maharashtra, which host nuclear reactors.
