Latest news with #CivilDefenceExercise
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Chandigarh observes coordinated blackout drill under ‘Operation Shield' to boost civil defence preparedness
Residents of Kishangarh and the IT Park area in Chandigarh observed a coordinated 10-minute blackout drill from 8 to 8.10 pm on Saturday under the Government of India's second Civil Defence Exercise, Operation Shield. The exercise aimed to enhance emergency preparedness and coordination between civil and defence agencies. The Centre on Saturday conducted the second Civil Defence Exercise Operation Shield across all districts of states and Union Territories adjoining the western border, including Chandigarh. The large-scale drill aimed to test and strengthen civil and defence agencies' coordination during emergencies. A key scenario was simulated at the Air Force Station in Chandigarh, where an enemy drone swarm attack was staged. Responding to the simulated threat, the Station Commander promptly requested support from the civil administration for evacuation. The Health Department, Fire Services, and Civil Defence Units were immediately mobilised. On-site triage was conducted for the injured, while those in serious condition were transported swiftly to the nearest hospital. The remaining evacuees were relocated to the community centre in Sector 47, where medical teams conducted thorough check-ups and provided treatment. During the 10-minute coordinated blackout drill, residents of Kishangarh and the IT Park area showcased remarkable unity, discipline and community spirit, officials said. Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav said, 'The response of residents during the blackout drill reflects our shared commitment to collective safety and civil defence preparedness.'
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Mock Drill today LIVE Updates: Operation Shield civil defence exercise to take place from 5 pm today in five states
Mock Drill LIVE updates: Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir will witness civil defence exercises or mock drills today. It last happened on May 7 across the nation a day prior to Operation Sindoor when India hit 9 terror bases in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives. Earlier, the mock drill was scheduled to take place on May 29; however, it was postponed due to 'administrative reasons'. According to a government press release, it will begin at 5 pm across districts in bordering states. "It is requested to plan and organize the Civil Defence Exercise "Operation Shield" on 31.05.2025 at 1700 Hrs onwards (the exact time may be suited as per local convenience) by involving all local administration and stakeholders. An action taken report in this regard may be shared with this directorate," the release stated. Besides, air raid sirens will be activated and blackouts will be observed for certain time. Stay tuned to for live updates on mock drill under Operation Shield today in certain states of India Follow updates here: 31 May 2025, 07:26 AM IST The mock drill will consist of 'Civil Defence Wardens/Volunteers stakeholders from local administration and youth volunteers like NCC, NSS NYKS, Bharat Scouts & Guides' in executing different Civil Defence measures against enemy aircraft, drones and missile attacks. 31 May 2025, 07:26 AM IST The government press statement issued on 29 May noted several shortcomings in the previous exercise. It stated that the current drill aims to address these critical gaps and "augment the Civil Defence preparedness against the hostile attack".
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Operation Shield": Haryana To Hold Blackout, Security Drill Tomorrow
Chandigarh: The Haryana government will conduct a major statewide Civil Defence Exercise, "Operation Shield", on May 31, across all 22 districts to enhance the state's emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Scheduled to begin at 5 pm, this comprehensive drill is being organised under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, to simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios in the light of current national security concerns, an official statement said here on Friday. The mock exercises are scheduled for May 31 between 5 pm to 9 pm and should not be the cause of alarm for the citizens, officials said. Earlier, this drill was scheduled for May 29 but was postponed as per the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it said. Giving further details, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana's Home Department, Sumita Misra on Friday stated that the exercise aims to test existing emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities and to identify areas that need to be strengthened, thus ensuring swift and effective response during any crisis. She said that currently there are around 32,000 Civil Defence Volunteers across state who will also contribute in this exercise. All Deputy Commissioners have been directed to call out Civil Defence Volunteers, NSS, NCC, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Home Guards, of their respective districts in order to brief them regarding their deployment, duties and exercises to be undertaken. She further stated that, key components include drills responding to aerial threats such as air raids and swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), activation of air raid sirens, and testing of control room communication hotlines established with the Indian Air Force. Additionally, a controlled blackout of 15 minutes will be observed from 8 pm to 8.15 pm near vital installations, with exception of essential emergency services such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations. Misra highlighted that the exercise also aligns with the Incident Response System (IRS), which Haryana officially notified on January 28, 2025, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, providing a structured framework for effective emergency response. She directed all Deputy Commissioners, who are also Chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities, along with Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, to ensure meticulous planning and execution of the exercise in their jurisdictions. They have been instructed to submit detailed Action Taken Reports to the Commandant General, Home Guards, and Director, Civil Defence, Haryana, which will be compiled for state-level review and forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Shield: Mock drills in J&K, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan and Chandigarh - Know date, timing, activities & more
Operation Shield date & timing: Security agencies are all set to carry out Operation Shield, a large-scale mock drill, across six states and Union Territories (UTs) in India. This will be the second phase of the Civil Defence Exercise, designed to improve emergency response and public safety in areas near the Pakistan border. Let's take a closer look at the date, timings, participating states, and what will happen during the drill. Operation Shield details Date: 31 May 2025 Timings: 5:00 PM onwards States/UTs: Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan and Chandigarh Purpose: Enhance emergency response and community readiness Involvement: Civil Defence, NCC, NSS, NYKS, Bharat Scouts & Guides Main activities: Evacuation drills, sirens, communication tests, hotline activation When is Operation Shield? Check Date and Timings The mock drill, named Operation Shield, is scheduled to take place on 31 May 2025, starting at 5:00 PM onwards. However, the timings may vary slightly depending on local convenience, as mentioned in a press release issued on 29 May 2025. States and UTs Participating in Operation Shield This mock drill will be conducted across districts close to the India-Pakistan border. The six participating states and UTs include: Punjab Jammu and Kashmir Gujarat Haryana Rajasthan Chandigarh These regions are considered sensitive due to their proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) and are often vulnerable to cross-border threats. The goal of Operation Shield is to strengthen coordination among security forces and improve local response capabilities. Why Operation Shield is Being Conducted Operation Shield is a follow-up to the first Civil Defence Exercise held on 7 May 2025, just before Operation Sindoor – India's military action in response to a terrorist attack. The recent drills aim to enhance alertness, community engagement, and readiness in case of real emergencies. According to Umesh Sharma, Assistant Director General of Civil Defence, all local administrations and stakeholders are encouraged to fully participate and share an action report after the drill is completed. Who Will Be Involved in the Mock Drill A wide range of organisations and volunteers will take part in the drill. Participants include: Civil Defence Wardens Civil Defence Volunteers Youth groups like NCC (National Cadet Corps), NSS (National Service Scheme), NYKS (Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan), and Bharat Scouts & Guides This collective effort shows the importance of involving the community in national safety and defence measures. Activities Planned During Operation Shield The mock drill will include various simulated emergency scenarios to test the preparedness of all involved. Some of the main activities are: Silent and general recall of Civil Defence volunteers Evacuation drills Emergency communication tests Activation of hotlines between the Air Force and Civil Defence Control Rooms Use of air raid sirens controlled from central hubs These activities aim to ensure that, in the event of a real threat, the response can be quick, organised, and effective. Operation Shield in the Context of Operation Sindoor The timing of Operation Shield is notable, as it comes after Operation Sindoor, India's military strike on April 22, 2025, in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed. In that operation, the Indian Armed Forces carried out targeted attacks on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). From May 7 to 10, India witnessed four days of heightened military tension, including shelling and attempted drone attacks by Pakistan. This backdrop further explains why Operation Shield and its mock drills are critical for national preparedness. What to Expect on 31 May Residents living in the above-mentioned states and UTs should not panic on 31 May when they hear air raid sirens or see evacuation exercises in progress. These are part of Operation Shield, a planned mock drill to keep everyone prepared for any emergency. Security agencies urge full cooperation from the public, local officials, and volunteers to ensure the success of the exercise. Stay informed, stay safe. Operation Shield is about strengthening our nation's defence—together. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
'Operation Shield' mock drill in 5 states on May 31: Check key details
'Operation Shield' mock drill in Punjab, J&K, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan will be held on Saturday from 5 pm; sirens, blackout, evacuation drills planned Security agencies are gearing up to conduct the second phase of the civil defence mock drill named 'Operation Shield', scheduled for Saturday (May 31). This exercise follows the first drill held on May 7, just hours before Operation Sindoor was launched. 'Operation Shield' mock drill: Date and time According to a government press release issued on Thursday, the mock drill will commence at 5 pm on May 31 across several districts bordering Pakistan. The exercise aims to bolster preparedness in vulnerable regions near the Line of Control, particularly in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Mock drill in India: Addressing previous shortcomings The notice highlighted that the first exercise revealed critical gaps in readiness, prompting the need for 'Operation Shield' to address these issues and 'augment the Civil Defence preparedness against the hostile attack'. Umesh Sharma, civil defence assistant director general, said in the release: 'It is requested to plan and organise the Civil Defence Exercise 'Operation Shield' on May 31 at 5 pm onwards (the exact time may be suited as per local convenience) by involving all local administration and stakeholders. An action taken report in this regard may be shared with this directorate.' Who will take part in the mock drill? The drill will involve a range of participants, including civil defence wardens, volunteers from local administration, and youth groups like NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts & Guides. These participants will help implement key civil defence measures against potential threats such as enemy aircraft, drones, and missile attacks. Key activities during the mock drill During the exercise, authorities will: -Activate hotlines between Air Force and Civil Defence control rooms (RCDCC/ SCDCC/ TCDCCs) -Test air raid sirens and emergency communication networks -Enforce blackout measures in adjoining civilian areas, except for emergency or critical services Why was the mock drill postponed earlier? Although initially planned for Thursday, the drill was deferred due to administrative reasons. The urgency to conduct these exercises follows the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people lost their lives. What to expect during the mock drill? These exercises are designed to identify strengths and weaknesses in emergency responses, simulating scenarios such as coordinated terror strikes and missile attacks. The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed participants to rehearse: -Silent recall of volunteers and wardens -Simulated air raids involving enemy drones and aircraft -Activation of air raid sirens and emergency communication systems -Full blackout procedures near vital installations -Mass casualty and evacuation drills, including the movement of 20 civilians from a mock military drone strike site -Blood donation mobilisation to meet potential medical emergencies -Simulated military operations, including the de-induction and redeployment of Border Wing Home Guards alongside Indian Army units Participants will include state disaster response teams, local police, fire services, medical personnel, and civil defence volunteers. Public advisory during mock drills Residents in affected areas are advised to: -Follow official updates and instructions -Remain calm and avoid panic, even during sirens or blackouts -Comply with directions from police, civil defence officials, or authorised volunteers -Steer clear of restricted or cordoned-off areas -Keep an emergency kit ready with water, a flashlight, and first-aid supplies This planned exercise is part of ongoing efforts to ensure robust emergency preparedness across vulnerable regions.
