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Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Nationwide civil defence mock drills begin at 4pm today; dos and don'ts
A civil defence mock drill will be conducted at 244 districts across India on Wednesday, May 7 in line with the directions of the ministry of home affairs (MHA), the first such exercise in decades, hours after India's airstrikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. School students crouch under a desk during a drill conducted as part of a nationwide civil defence exercise, in Ghaziabad on Wednesday.(PTI) India conducted targeted military strikes against Pakistan-based terrorist groups in widely expected tit-for-tat blows after a terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people. India said in a statement early on Wednesday that it conducted 'a precise and restrained response' that was 'designed to be non-escalatory in nature.' It said that it only targeted 'known terror camps' and hit no Pakistani civilian, economic or military targets — a statement disputed by Pakistan. According to officials, the first mock drill will be held at 4pm. The home ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills for effective civil defence. The measures to be undertaken include operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students,etc. on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. The measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updation of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal. 10 updates on mock drills today: As part of a nationwide mega mock drill, authorities in Delhi will conduct 'Operation Abhyaas' at 55 locations across the city at 4 pm. Officials said the drill will simulate various emergency situations such as air raids, fires and search-and-rescue operations. The Delhi directorate of education (DoE) has directed all school heads to organise training sessions for students and teachers on disaster response and a demonstration video has been shared to help schools understand how to conduct a proper mock drill. A civil defence mock drill will be conducted at 16 locations across 10 districts in Maharashtra. More than 10,000 volunteers of civil defence, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and Home Guard volunteers will participate in the mock drill, which is part of a large-scale nationwide preparedness exercise. In Maharashtra, mock drills will be conducted in the districts of Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Raigad, Jalgaon, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Palghar. The MHA has directed the authorities to conduct the mock drill in Mumbai, Uran, Tarapur, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Roha-Nagothane, Manmad, Sinnar, Thal, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Bhusawal, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. Mock drills will be conducted in Bengaluru, Karwar, and Raichur from May 7, given the "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. A full-scale civil defence mock drill will be carried out across all districts of Uttar Pradesh in coordination with police, fire services, disaster response forces and local administrations to assess emergency preparedness. In Lucknow, a rehearsal was held on Tuesday at the police lines area, where a simulated bomb blast was enacted. Security forces swiftly responded, taking positions and managing a staged public panic to demonstrate real-time preparedness. The places where the mock drills will be held are Prayagraj, Varanasi, Jhansi, Bareilly and Farrukhabad. In Varanasi, DIG Shivashimpi Channappa said, 'A combined meeting with all department heads has been held. Starting 6am, drills will begin from the police lines and extend to multiple zones through smaller units.' Jhansi has rescheduled its mock drill from 6pm to 4pm, to be held at the Reserve Police Lines, as per an announcement by SSP B Murthy. Bareilly will observe a district-wide blackout from 8pm to 8:10pm on May 7. As per the directive of the Union ministry of home affairs, civil defence mock drills will be conducted in 14 districts of Kerala. The mock drills are being held in response to the 'new and complex threats' that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, will begin at 4pm. The civil defence mock drills will be conducted at two locations in Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam district Collector MN Harendhira Prasad said two locations -- Kotha Jalaripeta and Oxygen Towers -- have been chosen for the drill. Dehradun is preparing for a civil defence mock drill, which includes simulating air raid sirens, blackouts, and evacuation plans. Dehradun district magistrate Savin Basnal and senior superintendent of Police Ajay Singh held a meeting with the officers associated with the army, paramilitary force, civil defence wardens, volunteers and IRS system in Rishiparna Auditorium collectorate and gave necessary instructions regarding the mock drill to be held nationwide on May 7. The district administration in Rajasthan's Barmer has stepped up preparations ahead of a major mock drill, with officials and residents actively participating in civil defence measures. Barmer, which shares a border with Pakistan, holds historical significance as a key frontier district that witnessed the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. An extensive mock drill will be carried out across 14 'civil defence districts' of Assam. Civil defence mock drills and blackouts will be conducted in 18 districts of Gujarat. While mock drills will be held at vital installations in each of these 18 districts at 4pm, citizens will participate in 'blackout' mock drills by switching off lights between 7.30pm and 8pm, Gujarat's minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi said. In Gujarat, mock drills will be held at Vadodara, Surat, Tapi, Patan, Banaskantha, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Morbi, Gir Somnath, Mehsana, Narmada, Navsari, Dang, Kutch, Bharuch, Gandhinagar and Bhavnagar, he said. Things to know during mock drills DOs: Familiarise yourself with siren sounds: Long wails indicate an air-raid alert. Short bursts signal an all-clear. Locate the nearest shelter such as: Basements Underground car parks Designated safe zones Keep an emergency kit ready, including: Torch Water bottles Basic medicines Emergency contacts Stop all outdoor activities immediately when the siren is sounded. Move quickly to the nearest shelter and remain there until all-clear is declared. Switch off all lights and use blackout measures like: Thick curtains or blinds Turning off or covering light-emitting devices (TVs, phones, tablets) Simulate a blackout with your family to test preparedness. Report any unfamiliar or suspicious activity to the authorities. Participate in community training sessions, especially: First aid Emergency responses for children Safe space identification at home and school Ensure the elderly and children are included in all steps of the drill. Snacks Water Medicines Emergency contacts and IDs Follow all instructions from trainers and authorities. Schools must: Conduct training sessions for students and teachers Play the demonstration video Submit reports and photographs of the drill to district education offices DON'Ts: Do not use mobile phones during the drill to keep communication lines free for emergencies. Do not leave lights on or use any visible lighting during the blackout. Avoid entering restricted areas or locations under camouflage by authorities. Do not share photos, videos or sensitive details of the drill or local facilities on social media. Avoid panic or confusion—this is a drill to improve preparedness, not an actual emergency. Do not ignore the sirens or instructions issued by civil defence or DDMA teams.
News18
07-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Mock Drill In India Live Updates: Citizens Prepare As India Strikes Terrorists In Pakistan, PoK
India Mock Drill Today Live Updates: The civil defence drills announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs will be conducted in 244 districts of the country. The drill becomes all the more important as India struck terror camps in Pakistan early Wednesday and Pakistan has threatened retaliation, terming India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack 'provocative and aggressive'. The measures of the drill include operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. Other measures include the provision of a crash blackout drill, updating the evacuation plan, and its rehearsal among others. Follow LIVE updates here:
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP extends mega security drill across all 75 districts
LUCKNOW A full-scale mock drill involving civil and police administration, fire services and disaster response force would now be organised in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, instead of 19 specific ones, said director general of police Prashant Kumar on Tuesday. A day before a full-scale mock drill takes place across the state, a rehearsal for it underway at the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow on Tuesday. (Mushtaq Ali/HT) The Ministry of Home Affairs had on Monday asked all states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday, given the 'new and complex threats' that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The measures to be undertaken include operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, etc on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. 'We had received a directive from the union government to conduct the mock drill in 19 districts that were put under various categories. Narura (Bulandshahr) comes under Category I, Baghpat and Muzaffarnagar under Category III while 13 other districts fall under Category II, including Lucknow, Agra, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Varanasi, Jhansi and Kanpur along with four other specified places - Bakshi Ka Talab (Lucknow), Sarsawa (Saharanpur) and Mughalsarai (Chandauli). Now, the directives have been issued to all districts in this regard,' the DGP said. The exercise, focused on civil defence and wartime response, marks the first such initiative in the state since the 1971 Indo-Pak War — over five decades ago. It will include how citizens have to respond during aerial attacks and other wartime contingencies. The exercise will also include blackout simulations across the state, along with protocols for the evacuation and treatment of the injured. As per the MHA, the mock drill aims to train civilians, students, and others in civil defense techniques for protection during a hostile attack. It is also aimed at checking the readiness of control rooms, shadow control centres and evaluate performance of air raid warning systems. Director general of civil defence Abhay Prasad said instructions have been received from the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct the drill. 'Preparations are underway. The goal is to equip civilians with the knowledge and readiness needed in case of any future conflict,' he said, adding, 'The civil defence department has offices in 15 districts of the state, covering 26 districts through its operational network. These offices will play a key role in coordinating the mock drills and ensuring public participation.' As part of the initiative, the authorities concerned will assess emergency medical infrastructure, response times, and coordination between various agencies. 'The drill will also serve as a refresher in civil defence protocols and aims to foster greater public awareness and resilience in times of national crisis,' a home department official added. Chief warden of civil defence (Lucknow) Amarnath Mishra informed that around 200 civil defence volunteers participated in the drill carried out at Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow on Tuesday. He said the participants demonstrated coordinated responses to sirens, evacuation procedures and protective measures designed to minimize panic and chaos during emergencies. 'The drill focused on practical techniques to protect civilians during missile strikes and air attacks, along with educating the public on how to safeguard themselves in such situations. The drill also emphasized techniques for safely transporting the injured to hospitals and guiding residents to the nearest emergency shelters,' he added.
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
NSG Commandos Visits Puri Jagannath Temple, Review Security
Puri: A four-member team of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos visited the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri on Monday to carry out a routine security review as part of their annual calendar. Speaking to the media, Superintendent of Police (SP), Puri, Vinit Agrawal said, "A four-member team of NSG commandos has come here to review the security around Shri Jagannath temple as part of a routine process which is part of their annual calendar." The visit by the elite NSG team is aimed at assessing existing security measures at the temple, which is one of the most revered and heavily visited pilgrimage sites in India. Officials said the review included inspection of entry and exit points, crowd management protocols, emergency response mechanisms, and coordination among local police and temple security staff. The NSG, India's premier counter-terrorism force, periodically undertakes such reviews at prominent religious and public places to ensure preparedness against any potential security threats. The exercise in Puri is in line with these standard operating procedures and is not linked to any specific alert, sources added. The Shri Jagannath Temple, which draws lakhs of devotees every year, especially during the annual Rath Yatra, remains a high-security zone, with multiple layers of protection and surveillance. The routine visit by the NSG team is seen as a proactive step to strengthen security frameworks and ensure the safety of devotees and temple premises. Local authorities confirmed that the visit went off smoothly, and the NSG team shared their observations with the district police for any possible enhancements in security arrangements. Meanwhile, in the wake of the Pahalgam attacks that killed 26 people, the Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 for effective civil defence. The measures to be undertaken include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, etc on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. The measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updation of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal.
India Gazette
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP appeals to citizens, party workers to volunteer for May 7 mock drills
By Suchitra Mukherjee New Delhi [India], May 6 (ANI): Ahead of the nationwide mock drill scheduled for May 7 in 244 districts of the country spread across several states, the BJP Parliamentary Party office has directed all BJP MPS to participate in the drill as ordinary citizens and cooperate with the local administration. Each MP will participate in their respective constituency. State presidents have also been asked to coordinate with senior office-bearers and district presidents to ensure the smooth execution of the drill, sources told ANI. Taking to X and Facebook, the BJP urged all citizens, party workers (Karyakartas), leaders, and students to come forward and volunteer for the mock drill. The party emphasised that every participant's involvement would make a significant difference in the success of the exercise. Amid heightened tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian tourists, the Government of India has announced a nationwide civil defence mock drill on Wednesday. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked states and union territories to conduct the exercise for effective civil defence. The exercise will include blackout simulations, air raid sirens, evacuation drills, and public training sessions to prepare for war-like emergencies. Meanwhile, the civil defence held a meeting with all its employees on the ways to protect citizens in case of an air attack in the city. Along with this, everyone was also given guidelines on protecting the public. The civil defence individuals were also made aware of activities to be undertaken by citizens during a sudden attack, and what precautions they should take to ensure minimum damage. Information on how to manage the crowd during a disaster was also provided. While the army is preparing on the border for a possible war with Pakistan, the civil defence volunteers have also become active in protecting the citizens in the city from attacks. Measures to be undertaken, according to sources, include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, etc on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. The sources said measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and updation of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal. Tensions have risen between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The government has said that perpetrators of the terror attack will face severe punishment. (ANI)
