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Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mock drill conducted as part of ‘Operation Abhyas' in Shimla
May 08, 2025 08:24 AM IST As part of the nationwide drive, in Himachal Pradesh mock drill 'Operation Abhyas' was held in Shimla city on Wednesday at two locations ---DC office and Sanjauli parking area. Deputy commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that the mock drill was organised on time. (HT Photo) This drill at the DC office was organised due to a previous fire incident in the office of the District Disaster Management Authority while mock drill for airstrike was held in Sanjauli. Deputy commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that the mock drill was organised on time. All the stakeholders who participated in this drill played an excellent role. Members of civil defence were also a part of this drill. He said that the main objective of this drill is to strengthen civil defense. 'There are 210 volunteers with civil defence in Shimla and a drive is already on for enrollment,' said DC. Superintendent of police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said, 'The drill was organised at the district level. In future, we are all ready for rescue operation in case of disaster. More and more people will be encouraged to join civil defence. Apart from this, the communication system will be strengthened in case of disaster. At the same time, siren system will be installed at designated places.' After the mock drill in Shimla city, feedback was taken from the officers.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Air raid sirens, blackouts: Mock drills held across Punjab, Hry, HP
Authorities conducted extensive mock drills across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday as part of a nationwide civil defence exercise initiated by the Union ministry of home affairs. Mock drill underway in Shimla on Wednesday. (HT Photo) The initiative comes in response to emerging security threats, particularly following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and rising tensions with Pakistan. The drills simulated emergency scenarios such as fire incidents, rescue operations, airstrikes and blackout situations aimed at testing and improving the preparedness of civil and emergency response systems. In Punjab, mock drills were held in Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala and Mohali. In Ludhiana, a comprehensive fire and rescue drill was carried out at the Verka Milk Plant on Ferozepur Road, involving the NDRF, fire brigade, police, health department, civil defence, and NCC. In Bathinda, the drill was conducted at the railway station, Mittal Mall and on the National Fertilizers Limited premises, where the participants exhibited emergency measures like evacuation during hostile situation. Jalandhar and Nawanshahr observed a one-hour blackout from 8 to 9 PM, while a 10-minute blackout was enforced in Hoshiarpur. In Kapurthala, blackouts took place on the district jail and Sainik School campuses. These drills included scenes of volunteers being carried on stretchers, fire suppression and simulated evacuations. In Haryana mock drills were conducted across all 22 districts, focusing on public awareness and emergency preparedness. Citizens were briefed on key blackout precautions, such as charging mobile devices, preparing flashlights and emergency kits, and identifying safe shelter areas. Air raid sirens were sounded at 4pm, followed by drills at government offices, malls and other key locations. A 10-minute blackout was enforced from 7.50pm to 8pm, during which citizens turned off all lights and remained indoors. In Shimla, 'Operation Abhyas' was carried out at the DC office and Sanjauli parking area. The drill at the DC Office followed a previous fire incident, while the Sanjauli exercise simulated an airstrike. Deputy commissioner Anupam Kashyap stated that civil defence personnel actively participated to strengthen emergency response systems. Officials emphasised that these drills were crucial for assessing real-time coordination between agencies and for building public resilience to potential crises. Flights from Bathinda suspended Flights from the civil airport located at Bathinda's Virk Kalan village, the only facility in southwest Punjab, was suspended from Wednesday in view of security concerns after Operation Sindoor. Bathinda airport director Sawar Mal Singaria said that flights to Delhi and Noida by Alliance Air and Flybig did not take off on Wednesday. 'As per the instruction from the central authorities, civil flights remained suspended till further orders,' he said.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Himachal to hold ‘Operation Abhyas' in Shimla today
May 07, 2025 08:36 AM IST As part of a nationwide drive, mock drill, 'Operation Abhyas', will be held at two locations in Shimla city on Wednesday, officials said. The drills will be conducted on the premises of the deputy commissioner's office in Shimla and the parking lot in Sanjauli. A meeting of the advisory committee on civil defence was held under the aegis of the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) in Shimla on Tuesday (HT File) Blackout will be done in the city from 7.20 pm to 7.30pm, deputy commissioner Anupam Kashyap said. A meeting of the advisory committee on civil defence was held under the aegis of the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) in Shimla on Tuesday. Presiding over the meeting, chief secretary Pramod Saxena said, 'The first mock drill will be conducted in Shimla on May 7, following which similar exercises will be held in other districts of the state in a phased manner.' The chief secretary highlighted key responsibilities for district administrations, including enrolment of civil defence wardens and volunteers, conducting risk assessments, identification of vulnerable areas, implementation of air raid warning systems, blackout, camouflage protocols, regular formulation and rehearsal of CD plans, preparation and updating of evacuation plans, augmentation of emergency services such as medical aid, food, water and fire safety, and conducting civilian training and awareness drives.
