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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.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Mock drone swarm attack tests readiness, Chandigarh residents unite
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: As part of the central government's decision to conduct the second civil defence exercise titled 'Operation Shield' on Saturday across all districts of states and Union territories adjoining the western border of the country, a scenario was simulated at the Air Force Station, Chandigarh, involving an attack by a swarm of enemy drones. In response to the simulated threat, the Station Commander sought immediate assistance from the civil administration to evacuate families from the station premises to a safer location. Upon receiving the request, the health department, fire services, and civil defence units were promptly activated. The 'injured' were triaged on site, and those with 'serious conditions' were swiftly transported to the nearest hospital. Remaining evacuees were relocated to the community centre in Sector 47, where comprehensive medical check-ups and treatment were provided. Also, a coordinated 10-minute blackout drill from 8-8.10 pm was observed by all the residents of Kishangarh and IT Park, showcasing exceptional unity, discipline, and community spirit. Nishant Yadav IAS, deputy commissioner, Chandigarh, said the response of residents during the blackout drill reflects our shared commitment to collective safety and civil defence preparedness. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the residents, civil defence volunteers, and all departments involved, noting the seamless execution of the drill without disruption or confusion. The exercise aimed to test and enhance the coordination, preparedness, and response capabilities of civil and defence agencies in the event of an emergency.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Evacuation simulations, blackout scenarios: Security drills in states bordering Pak
Civil defence drills were held on Saturday in the states bordering Pakistan as part of the nationwide Operation Shield to test emergency readiness in these regions, weeks after the military conflict between India and exercise was held in states adjoining the western border, including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversaw the drills, which included blackout protocols, evacuation simulations and coordinated emergency response checks. advertisementThis phase followed the first nationwide drill conducted on May 7, just hours before the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly Hindu DRILLS HELD:- Security drills were organised in Chandigarh with scenarios like a blackout drill, receiving a mock call regarding evacuation, noting their response time and a separate exercise on the movement of home guards in emergency situations. "We conducted the second civil defence drills here. We envisioned some scenarios in which we received a mock call from Chandigarh Air Force Station stating that some people needed to be relocated. We moved 20 people to the Sector 47 community centre. We noted the response time. We are also doing an exercise to ensure the movement of home guards in an emergency situation," DC Nishant Yadav said. advertisement In Srinagar, the drill simulated a fire situation in a building, focussing on rescue operations and firefighting mechanisms, along with a 10-minute blackout at Lal Chowk. #WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir | Blackout mock drill carried out at the Lal Chowk in Srinagar under Operation Shield — ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2025 "We conducted a civil defence drill in line with the MHA guidelines under Operation Shield. The exercise aimed to assess the preparedness of the manpower, infrastructure and equipment. As part of the drill, we also carried out a 10-minute blackout," District Magistrate Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat said. A similar security drill was held in Amritsar along with a blackout protocol. An official said that the exercise was being held to ensure the coordination of civil defence departments during war-like situations. "Several districts are at higher risk as they share a border with Pakistan, such as Amritsar, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Firozpur and Fazilka. Conducting such exercises is to ensure that maximum administration is operational during war-like situations. It teaches how to be safe at home during air strikes and drone attacks, staying at home and how to save oneself during blackouts," Commandant Jaskaran Singh said. Security drills were also held in other places, including Ahmedabad, in Jaipur's Khatipura area, in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor, Doda and Poonch as part of Operation Shield. "This is a security drill. We recently saw border shelling here. We wanted to raise awareness about this. If such an incident happens, people should be ready," SDM Akhnoor Mukhtar Ahmad said. In the last security drill held on May 7, air raid warning sirens were activated while civilians and students were briefed on civil defence protocols on how to protect themselves and others around them in case of an attack. These security drills - the first of their kind since the 1971 war with Pakistan - were held in 250 locations across 33 states and union territories. Must Watch IN THIS STORY#Operation Sindoor
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
We aim to train 3,000 volunteers: Chandigarh DC Nishant Yadav laud high volunteer turnout amid tensions with Pakistan
Chandigarh [India], May 10 (ANI): Amid the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav on Saturday said the administration is conducting a voluntary training and enrolment camp for civil defence volunteers at Tagore Theatre. 'We are conducting a voluntary training and enrollment camp for Civil Defence Volunteers at Tagore Theatre. People's response is really good. We have enrolled over 1000 people. They are being trained at Tagore Theatre,' Yadav told ANI. He said that due to the large turnout, another venue has been set up. 'A large number of people had turned up. So, we have sent the rest of the people to Tiranga Park, to the second camp. The second batch of Civil Defence training will begin there shortly,' Yadav added. The Deputy Commissioner said they hope to enrol 3,000 volunteers by the end of the day. 'With the response we have received, we hope to train and enrol 3000 civil defence volunteers today...' Yadav also said that such training programmes could continue if there is sufficient demand. 'We can keep this as a regular practice, if there is a demand from the people. We have adequate capacity, the NDRF team also provides training, Red Cross provides first aid training. Besides this, physical activities training is also being provided,' he added. Looking ahead, Yadav outlined plans to engage trained volunteers in social work.'Our long-term plan would be to deploy these registered civil defence volunteers and engage them in social situation is peaceful right now,' he added. Earlier today, youths gathered in large numbers in Chandigarh following a local announcement calling for civil defence volunteers. Parambir Singh, a resident of Chandigarh, said, 'We are here to provide our services to our nation. We have filled the form (for volunteer service).' Another local, Sanjana Arora, emphasised that they all want to help the Indian Army and respond to Pakistan's 'continued provocations.' 'We were called here by the administration, and it's incredible to see such a massive turnout of young people. So many youths have gathered today to express their support for India and our armed forces. The energy here is remarkable, even those who usually don't wake up early have shown up in huge numbers. Everyone is eager to know when they can enter because we all want to stand with our soldiers, who are bravely responding to Pakistan's continued provocations,' she said. Earlier, India launched the retaliatory strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, the sources told ANI. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control (LoC). Indian strikes hit at least four airbases in Pakistan in the early hours of Saturday, top government sources said, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh sees big turnout for civil defence volunteer drive amid India-Pakistan tensions
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Chandigarh administration witnessed a large turnout for the inaugural enrollment of its civil defence volunteer program, held at the Tagore Theatre on Saturday. The event was initiated by deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav, with registration set to begin at 10.30 am. This call for volunteers comes in the wake of escalating hostilities between the two nations since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. On Saturday, the Indian armed forces targeted eight military sites in Pakistan, responding to attacks on Indian military infrastructure and civilian areas. Air raid sirens sounded across Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula on Thursday night, followed by a blackout that lasted for three hours. Speaking to The New Indian Express, DC Yadav explained the civil defence volunteers program, and revealed it would consist of a one-week intensive training. 'We plan to teach civil defence rules, basic police procedures, relief and rehabilitation work, and methods for raising awareness among residents,' he said. 'Following the training, we will assess who is fit for selection. The chosen volunteers will be deployed across sectors, markets, and nearby villages during this time of conflict. There is no fixed target for numbers, nor any maximum age limit. Female volunteers are welcome,' he added. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh administration also directed shopping malls, restaurants, clubs, cinema halls and non-medical shops to remain shit from 7 pm onwards on Friday, and it was followed until 6 am on Saturday. On the other hand, hotels, ATMs, bus stands, railway stations, petrol pumps, parks, shops in markets and religious places had been asked to turn off external and street lights. The Chandigarh-Mohali satellite city has put a total ban on generators, inverters and any other form of power backup used for outdoor lighting until further notice. Also, bursting of crackers at wedding celebrations and religious events is prohibited in Chandigarh until July 7. The Pahalgam terror attack's responsibility has already been claimed by The Resistance Front, which is an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
