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Business Standard
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Indian govt asks media outlets not to use air raid sound on news programmes
The Indian government on Saturday issued an advisory to all media outlets, asking them to stop using civil defence air raid siren sounds in their programmes, unless they are part of a public awareness campaign. The advisory, issued by the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards, stated that under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, all media platforms must avoid playing air raid sirens outside the context of community education efforts. Siren use may lead to public confusion Officials laid stress on the fact that regular use of sirens in entertainment or news content could dull public sensitivity. People might start ignoring these sounds, assuming them to be just part of a TV show or broadcast. This, they warned, could lead to confusion during a real emergency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting with the top defence establishment to take stock of the emerging security situation amid the intensifying military conflict with Pakistan. Several high-speed missile strikes were noticed after 1:40 am on Saturday across multiple airbases in Punjab. In response, Indian armed forces conducted calibrated precision strikes, targeting only identified military assets within Pakistan. India's 'Operation Sindoor' Friday night's escalation followed India's 'Operation Sindoor', wherein strikes targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan as a response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Pakistan launched a new round of drone attacks in the early hours of Saturday, aiming at 26 locations across India, from Jammu and Kashmir down to Gujarat. According to the defence ministry, all attempts to hit strategic sites like airports and air bases were foiled. India's swift response India answered back on Saturday, choosing a 'measured' response. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a press briefing, said Pakistan was running a "wanton campaign" against innocent civilians and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Heavy shelling from across the border on Saturday led to tragic losses of life in Jammu's Rajouri district. Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa was among those killed, and several other civilians were also reported killed or injured.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt tells media channels not to use civil defence sirens sounds in programmes
The government on Saturday advised all media channels to refrain from using civil defence air raid sirens sounds in their programmes other than community awareness drive. In an advisory, the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards said exercising the powers conferred under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, all media channels were requested to refrain from using civil defence air raids sirens sounds in their programmes other than for educating the community. It said that the routine use of sirens may likely to reduce the sensitivity of civilians towards the air raids sirens and civilians may misunderstood it as routine matter, used by the media channels, during the actual air raids. The advisory came amidst the heightened tension due to the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict .
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Business Standard
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Civil mock drills in Mumbai, Thane, Pune today: All you need to know
Amid the retaliatory ation by Indian armed forces on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupieed Kashmir following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a nationwide civil defence mock drill scheduled for today. Maharashtra is among the states where large-scale preparedness activities will be conducted, covering key urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. What is a civil defence mock drill? A civil defence mock drill is a structured exercise designed to assess the readiness of emergency systems in the event of crises such as aerial strikes or wartime scenarios. These drills help authorities identify strengths and shortcomings in existing protocols while enhancing coordination between agencies and public awareness. Mock drill: What are the objectives of the exercise? The primary goal is to test and strengthen the preparedness of civil defence infrastructure at both state and local levels. The drills will evaluate the responsiveness of multiple stakeholders, including local authorities, emergency responders, and citizens. '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,' the letter from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards said. The letter further stated, "The conduct of the exercise is planned up to the village level. This exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms across all states and Union territories." Mock drill in Maharashtra: Key locations across the state Besides major cities, the drill will extend to other sensitive zones including Uran, Bhusawal, Tarapur, Nashik, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Manmad, Sinnar, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nagothane, Thal-Vaishet, Rohn-Dhatao, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). Instructions have been issued to Chief Secretaries and Union Territory Administrators to engage district officials, civil defence personnel, educational institutions, and volunteers. The initiative targets improved preparedness across 244 strategically important districts nationwide, with several located in Maharashtra. What will the drill cover? The mock drill will replicate high-alert situations and will include: >Air raid alerts: Testing public alert systems using sirens in densely populated towns >Evacuation drills: Practising safe and orderly movement from vulnerable areas, especially in cities like Mumbai and Thane >Blackout exercises: Simulated power and signal shutdowns to reduce visibility during aerial attacks >Camouflage operations: Rapid concealment of strategic infrastructure like power plants and defence sites >Public awareness sessions: Training on emergency response, first aid, and communication will be conducted in schools and community areas in cities including Pune, Aurangabad, and Nashik What is the purpose behind the drill? According to the MHA, the mock drill is intended to familiarise civilians with emergency protocols, test the functioning of control centres, assess air raid alert systems, and ensure seamless coordination with the Indian Air Force. Blackout readiness, camouflage execution, and civil defence service efficiency will also be evaluated. India's response to the Pahalgam attack Following the April 22 terror incident in Pahalgam, the Indian government implemented several countermeasures targeting Pakistan. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, halting all trade, shutting down the Wagah-Attari border, ceasing postal exchanges, and banning Pakistani aircraft and ships from Indian airspace and ports. India also reduced diplomatic presence, revoked Pakistani visas, and expelled military envoys. Social media platforms with connections to Pakistan were blocked, while civil defence exercises were launched across the country to bolster national emergency readiness. (With agency inputs)
India.com
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Mock Drills After Pahlagam Attack: Full List Of West Bengal Districts Where Exercise Will Be Conducted On May 7
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday instructed all states and union territories to conduct mock drills to assess readiness against "new and complex threats." This move comes amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. According to the ministry, the drills will be held on May 7 across 244 designated civil defence districts nationwide. These exercises aim to test the functioning of air-raid warning systems and train civilians in civil defence techniques to ensure their safety in the event of a "hostile attack." Mock drills are set to take place at more than 250 locations across 29 states and union territories, including Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Goa, and several others. "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 the letter from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards. Further the letter added, "The conduct of the exercise is planned up to the village level. This exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms across all states and Union territories." Full List Of Districts Where Mock Drills Will Be Conducted In West Bengal Here's the full list of West Bengal districts: Category-II 178. Coochbehar 179. Darjeeling 180. Jalpaiguri 181. Malda 182. Siliguri 183. Greater Kolkata 184. Durgapur 185. Haldia 186. Hashimara 187. Kharagpur 188. Burnpur- Asansol 189. FarakkaKhejuriaghat 190. Chittaranjan 191. Balurghat 192. Alipurwar 193. Raiganj 194. Islampur 195. Dinhata 196. Makhili ganj 197. Mathabhanga Category-III 39. Bardhaman 40. Birbhum 41. East Madinapur 42. West Madinapur 43. Hawrah 44. Hooghly 45. Murshidabad 198. Kalimpong 199. Jaldhaka 200. Kurseong 201. Kolaghat Mockdrill preparations 1. Activation and testing of air raid warning sirens to ensure readiness. 2. Establishment and operational readiness of hotline and radio communication links with the Indian Air Force. 3. Deployment and staffing of primary and backup (shadow) control rooms. 4. Conducting training sessions for civilians, including students, on civil defence procedures to stay safe during potential hostile attacks. 5. Mobilisation of civil defence units, particularly warden services, firefighting teams, rescue operations, and supply depots. 6. Implementation of emergency blackout protocols to enhance safety during crises. The Prime Minister has been conducting a series of high-level meetings with senior defence officials as India considers its response to the April 22 terror attack.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Why MHA ordered nationwide mock drills on May 7. Key measures states must follow
The Union home ministry has asked all states to conduct mock drills across the 244 categorised civil defence districts on Wednesday, May 7, in view of 'new and complex threats' that have emerged in the 'current geo-political scenario". The order came after a series of high-level meetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss India's retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people on April 22. The order also came hours after Pakistan conducted its second missile firing test in two days under 'Exercise INDUS' amid rising tensions with India. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the successful test launch 'made it clear that Pakistan's defence is in strong hands.' "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," the letter from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards said. According to the MHA, the primary objectives of the mock drill are as follows: • To assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems. • Operationalisation of Hotline/Radio Communication Links with the Indian Air Force. • To test the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms. • Training civilians, students, etc., on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack. • Provision of crash blackout measures. • Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants/installations. • To verify the activation and response of Civil Defence services, including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations, and depot management. • To assess the implementation of crash blackout measures. • To evaluate the preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution. 'The conduct of the exercise is planned up to the village level. This exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms across all states and Union territories,' the letter said. The home ministry's order also said the exercise is expected to involve the active participation of district controllers, local authorities, civil defence wardens, volunteers, home guards (both active and reserve), members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and college and school students.
