Latest news with #OperationAbhyaas
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mock drill: Is India planning another Operation amid border tensions with Pakistan in the west and Bangladesh in the east?
India has delayed a mock drill near the Pakistan border. This follows increased tensions and Operation Sindoor. The eastern border with Bangladesh also sees more activity. India is reviving the Kailashahar airfield. This is amid concerns about China's moves in Bangladesh. The government says drills are routine. But the timing raises questions about India's readiness. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Operation Shield put on hold; drills aimed at war preparedness Strike during drill raises questions Eastern front sees new strategic moves Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads No official word on new military action India has postponed a nationwide mock drill that was scheduled for May 29 in border districts near Pakistan . The decision follows increased tensions on both western and eastern fronts. It comes just weeks after the May 7 strike known as Operation Sindoor , which hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The eastern sector has also seen developments that have raised strategic postponed drill was part of Operation Shield, a large-scale civil defence exercise coordinated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It was designed to test India's preparedness for wartime emergencies, including air raids, drone strikes, and evacuations. The drill was planned to cover 244 districts nationwide with air raid sirens, blackout exercises, and public safety in May, a similar drill named Operation Abhyaas was conducted across various states and Union Territories. That exercise marked the first such widespread readiness initiative since the 1971 Indo-Pak May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor on the same day as the nationwide civil defence drill. India announced that it targeted nine terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK. The move followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of several Indian tourists. The deja vu of May 7 mock drills has now sparked speculation about possible Indian attention remains on Pakistan, the eastern border with Bangladesh has also seen an uptick in military and surveillance activity. Border Security Force (BSF) units have intensified patrols in Assam and West Bengal. Officials have been visiting key locations to assess preparedness and is also reportedly moving to revive the long-defunct Kailashahar airfield in Tripura's Unakoti district. On May 26, senior officials from the Airports Authority of India visited the site to assess land, visibility, and infrastructure conditions. The airfield has remained non-operational for more than three move comes amid reports that China is helping upgrade the old Lalmonirhat airbase in northern Bangladesh, just 20 km from India's border. Indian defence planners see the development as a potential strategic challenge. The Lalmonirhat site lies near the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow land strip connecting the northeastern states with the rest of renewed focus on Kailashahar carries both historical and strategic significance. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, it served as a base for joint missions between the Indian Air Force and the Bangladeshi resistance. It was from here that the first sorties of 'Kilo Flight'—the precursor to the Bangladesh Air Force—were launched using modified civilian is no official confirmation from the Indian government about any new operation or action along the border. The government maintains that mock drills are routine exercises meant to enhance readiness. Postponements are based on operational assessments.'While Operation Shield is being described as a preparedness effort, its timing and the military posture on both borders have raised questions. Whether India is preparing for another covert strike or simply maintaining high readiness remains unclear.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Nationwide Mock Drills Resume in Four Border States Following Operation Sindoor
Civil defence mock drills will be conducted on Thursday across four Indian states bordering Pakistan—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir—in a renewed effort to strengthen emergency preparedness. The drills come just weeks after India carried out Operation Sindoor, a targeted military response against Pakistan that concluded with a mutual agreement to halt hostilities. These drills are part of a larger nationwide exercise initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The ministry had earlier directed 244 districts to carry out civil defence exercises under Operation Abhyaas, involving blackout simulations, air raid sirens, evacuation protocols, and public awareness campaigns. Haryana to Conduct Statewide Exercise "Operation Shield" In parallel, the Haryana government will carry out Operation Shield, a massive civil defence exercise across all 22 districts starting at 5 PM on May 29. The initiative aims to test the state's emergency response mechanisms and improve coordination among civil administration, defence forces, and local communities. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), stated that the drill will involve mass participation from civil defence wardens, registered volunteers, and youth groups like the NCC, NSS, NYKS, and Bharat Scouts and Guides. A 15-minute controlled blackout will also take place at 8 PM in critical zones, excluding essential services like hospitals, police stations, and fire departments. Operation Sindoor and the End of 'Proxy War' The mock drills follow Operation Sindoor, during which Indian forces struck nine terrorist hideouts in under 22 minutes. The strikes, recorded on camera for verification, were hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as decisive proof of Pakistan's direct involvement in sponsoring terrorism. Speaking at a rally in Gandhinagar on May 27, PM Modi stated, 'This is no longer a proxy war. The terrorists were given state funerals, confirming this is part of an official military strategy.' He added, 'We don't seek enmity, but we will respond accordingly. We aim for peace and progress, but our bravery will not be underestimated.' Background and Broader Context Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high following the Pahalgam attack and India's retaliatory strikes. The ongoing civil defence drills underscore the government's focus on preparing civilians and authorities alike for any future threats, ensuring that emergency responses are swift, coordinated, and effective.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab to hold mock drill Operation Shield on June 3
While Haryana said it will conduct a mock drill under Operation Shield Thursday, Punjab will hold the drill in the border districts on June 3 to strengthen the state's emergency preparedness and response systems. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had written a letter to the Punjab Government to conduct a mock drill on Thursday. Sources said Sanjeev Kalra, Special DGP, Punjab Home Guard and Civil Defence, wrote to the Centre expressing inability to conduct the mock drills on May 29, saying a training of civil defence officers is underway in the state. According to sources, Kalra told the Centre that the mock drill will be conducted at 7.30 pm on June 3. The state government is yet to hear from the Centre on whether they have accepted the decision by Punjab. Under Operation Shield, the mock drill will be conducted in districts which have been declared as Civil Defence districts by the Centre, including border districts and Ludhiana. Apart from Haryana, mock drills will also be held in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Gujarat on Thursday evening. On May 7, India conducted a mock drill under Operation Abhyaas shortly after Operation Sindoor, India's military operation under which the armed forces targeted terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. In Punjab, the mock drills were held at the civil defence towns of Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Batala, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Adampur, Ludhiana, Halwara, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala, Mohali, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Rupnagar, Bhakra Nangal, Sangrur and Abohar.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mock drills in 4 border states to begin days after terror strikes & Operation Sindoor against Pakistan
Civil defence mock drills have resumed across four border states—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir—starting Thursday. These states, which share a border with Pakistan, are conducting the drills in the backdrop of rising security concerns and recent military activity. Separately, Haryana will carry out a statewide emergency preparedness exercise named Operation Shield on May 29 across all 22 districts. The initiatives come following Operation Sindoor and the bilateral agreement to cease military action along the border. Centre's push for emergency readiness The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated civil defence exercises in 244 districts as part of Operation Abhyaas, which was announced after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. These exercises include blackout drills, air raid siren alerts, evacuation protocols, and public awareness drives, all aimed at preparing civilians for potential wartime or terror-related emergencies. Big #BreakingNews 🚨 Tomorrow #mock_drill will be held in Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, J&K and Rajasthan!!Be ready guys 🔥🔥🔥 Haryana's operation shield scheduled for May 29 Haryana will conduct its civil defence drill, Operation Shield, from 5 pm on May 29. The drill is intended to strengthen coordination between local communities, civil authorities, and defence forces. The exercise will see large-scale participation from registered civil defence volunteers, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and Bharat Scouts and Guides. A 15-minute controlled blackout will be observed near vital installations at 8 pm, excluding essential services like hospitals and police stations. PM Modi cites Operation Sindoor in public rally Speaking at a rally in Gandhinagar on May 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the recent military action—Operation Sindoor—in which nine terrorist hideouts were targeted and destroyed in under 22 minutes. He highlighted that the operation was conducted in front of cameras to ensure transparency. Modi also commented that Pakistan's actions were no longer covert, stating, 'We can no longer make the mistake of calling it a proxy war.' He emphasised that India seeks peace but is prepared to respond firmly to threats.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Haryana to conduct statewide mock drill Operation Shield tomorrow
On Thursday, Haryana will conduct 'Operation Shield', a state-wide civil defence exercise to further strengthen emergency preparedness and response capabilities in war-like situations. The comprehensive drill, slated to begin at 5 pm, is being organised under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and will simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios in the wake of national security concerns. Additionally, a controlled blackout of 15 minutes will be observed from 8 pm to 8.15 pm near vital installations, with the exception of essential emergency services such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations. Mock drills will also be held in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Gujarat on Thursday evening, authorities said. Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Haryana said, 'The exercise aims to test existing emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities, and identify areas that need to be strengthened, thus ensuring swift and effective response during any crisis.' 'The drill will involve large-scale mobilisation of civil defence wardens, registered volunteers, and youth organisations, including the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and Bharat Scouts & Guides, to assist in simulated emergency scenarios. 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,' Misra said. The additional chief secretary highlighted that the exercise 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. On Wednesday, Misra directed all deputy commissioners, who also chair the district disaster management authorities, as well as commissioners and superintendents of police, to ensure meticulous planning and execution of the mock drill 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 MHA. The above mock exercises are scheduled for May 29 between 5 pm and 9 pm and should not be a cause of alarm for citizens,' Misra added. Earlier, a statewide mock drill, Operation Abhyaas, was conducted on May 7 shortly after Operation Sindoor, India's military operation which targeted terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
