Latest news with #OperationChengizKhan
Mint
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Mock drill in India tomorrow. But what happened in 1971? Here's a throwback
Mock drill in India: All states and Union Territories will conduct mock drills on Wednesday, May 7, in the wake of 'new and complex threats' that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The exercises will include air-raid warning sirens, and training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a 'hostile attack' and cleaning bunkers and trenches. The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans, a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and administrators of Union territories said. A similar exercise was carried out in India some 50 years ago ahead of 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. Then, civil defence drills held across the country were a significant part of the Union government's strategy to prepare the civilian population for potential air attacks by Pakistan. These drills were especially prominent in border and major urban areas. Civil defence drills aimed to reduce panic, save lives, and maintain order during wartime. Pakistan launched air strikes on December 3, 1971, targeting Indian air bases. The Indian government anticipated bombings on civilian and strategic locations. Operation Chengiz Khan was the code name assigned to the preemptive strikes by the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) on the forward airbases and radar installations of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the evening of December 3, 1971. This marked the formal initiation of hostilities of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. -These 1971 drills included covert military operations, coordination with the Mukti Bahini (earlier known as the Mukti Fauj, also known as the Bangladesh Forces), and strategic positioning of forces to prepare for the liberation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). -The drills included Air raid warnings and blackouts. The cities used air raid sirens to signal incoming attacks. Blackout drills required homes, shops, and government offices to turn off lights or cover windows with black cloth. -Evacuation and shelter training was also held. People were taught how to evacuate buildings quickly and move to designated shelters. Civil defence shelters were marked, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar, and Agra. -Training was imparted on first aid and emergency services. Volunteers were trained in first aid, fire-fighting, and rescue techniques during the exercise Schools held mock bomb attack simulations to teach people how to react during emergencies. Posters, radio announcements, and newspaper columns gave specific instructions on what to do during an air raid, how to protect children, the elderly, and the injured, and how to report unexploded bombs or fire outbreaks. Frontline states like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal, as well as major metropolitan hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, reportedly witnessed extensive activities. The prominent cities involved included Delhi and Agra due to cultural landmarks, Amritsar, Pathankot, and Jodhpur – all border cities and airbase proximity – and Kolkata and Mumbai for the economic and port significance. During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the Taj Mahal was camouflaged to protect it from potential aerial attacks by Pakistan. The white marble Mughal Era mausoleum was covered with a large green cloth. Lights were switched off, and security was increased. The white marble structure was made to appear like a pile of bamboo and wood or an inconspicuous warehouse from the air. The idea was not to let the enemy pilots attack this iconic structure. Even before the 1971 war, amidst the turmoil of the Second World War in 1942, the British were concerned about the iconic structure to potential bombing raids by German Luftwaffe bombers and Japanese forces. As a precautionary measure, bamboo scaffolding was erected over the iconic structure. Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Jaisalmer Fort all underwent similar camouflage in 1971. Among other measures, factories, oil depots, communication towers, and railway yards were covered in nets, tarpaulins, and painted canvas in the run up to 1971 war. Some installations were masked entirely with foliage and mud. Blackout drills became routine across the country. People were asked to turn off all lights or cover windows with thick cloth and paper. Streetlights were switched off. Sirens were blown in the night hours, and civilians were trained to duck, evacuate, or reach the nearest shelter. Civil defence drills aimed to reduce panic, save lives, and maintain order during wartime. Residents rehearsed evacuation drills in border areas and metros alike.
Mint
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Mock drill in India tomorrow, but what happened in 1971? Here's a throwback
Mock drill in India: All states and Union Territories will conduct mock drills on Wednesday, May 7, in the wake of 'new and complex threats' that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The exercises will include air-raid warning sirens, and training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a 'hostile attack' and cleaning bunkers and trenches. The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans, a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and administrators of Union territories said. A similar exercise was carried out in India some 50 years ago ahead of 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. Then, civil defence drills held across the country were a significant part of the Union government's strategy to prepare the civilian population for potential air attacks by Pakistan. These drills were especially prominent in border and major urban areas. Civil defence drills aimed to reduce panic, save lives, and maintain order during wartime. Pakistan launched air strikes on December 3, 1971, targeting Indian air bases. The Indian government anticipated bombings on civilian and strategic locations. Operation Chengiz Khan was the code name assigned to the preemptive strikes by the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) on the forward airbases and radar installations of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the evening of December 3, 1971. This marked the formal initiation of hostilities of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. -These 1971 drills included covert military operations, coordination with the Mukti Bahini (earlier known as the Mukti Fauj, also known as the Bangladesh Forces), and strategic positioning of forces to prepare for the liberation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). -The drills included Air raid warnings and blackouts. The cities used air raid sirens to signal incoming attacks. Blackout drills required homes, shops, and government offices to turn off lights or cover windows with black cloth. -Evacuation and shelter training was also held. People were taught how to evacuate buildings quickly and move to designated shelters. Civil defence shelters were marked, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar, and Agra. -Training was imparted on first aid and emergency services. Volunteers were trained in first aid, fire-fighting, and rescue techniques during the exercise Schools held mock bomb attack simulations to teach people how to react during emergencies. Posters, radio announcements, and newspaper columns gave specific instructions on what to do during an air raid, how to protect children, the elderly, and the injured, and how to report unexploded bombs or fire outbreaks. Frontline states like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal, as well as major metropolitan hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, reportedly witnessed extensive activities. The prominent cities involved included Delhi and Agra due to cultural landmarks, Amritsar, Pathankot, and Jodhpur – all border cities and airbase proximity – and Kolkata and Mumbai for the economic and port significance. During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the Taj Mahal was camouflaged to protect it from potential aerial attacks by Pakistan. The white marble Mughal Era mausoleum was covered with a large green cloth. Lights were switched off, and security was increased. The white marble structure was made to appear like a pile of bamboo and wood or an inconspicuous warehouse from the air. The idea was not to let the enemy pilots do aerial reconnaissance or bombing missions. Even before the 1971 war, amidst the turmoil of the Second World War in 1942, the British were concerned about the iconic structure to potential bombing raids by German Luftwaffe bombers and Japanese forces. As a precautionary measure, bamboo scaffolding was erected over the iconic structure. Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Jaisalmer Fort all underwent similar camouflage in 1971. Among other measures, factories, oil depots, communication towers, and railway yards were covered in nets, tarpaulins, and painted canvas in the run up to 1971 war. Some installations were masked entirely with foliage and mud. Blackout drills became routine across the country. People were asked to turn off all lights or cover windows with thick cloth and paper. Streetlights were switched off. Sirens were blown in the night hours, and civilians were trained to duck, evacuate, or reach the nearest shelter. Civil defence drills aimed to reduce panic, save lives, and maintain order during wartime. Residents rehearsed evacuation drills in border areas and metros alike. Students, NCC cadets, Home Guards, and civil defence volunteers played a key role in these drills in 1971. Training sessions were also held in in schools, hospitals.
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First Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
When India 'hid' the Taj Mahal from Pakistani air forces during 1971 war
As India plans to conduct mock drills for civilians across the country amid tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, a little-known chapter from 1971 Indo-Pak war is worth visiting. During the conflict, India, fearing Pakistan air forces' strike in Agra, quite literally tried to make the Taj Mahal 'disappear'. Here's how read more During 1971 India Pakistan war, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook a mission to camouflage the Taj Mahal as Pak air forced carried out air strikes near Agra. Image courtesy: X/ @archeaohistories As tensions between India and Pakistan run high after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the mood across the country is one of heightened alert. Military movements have intensified, border towns are being watched like hawks, and security drills are being planned across multiple states in the country. But this isn't uncharted territory for India. Back in 1971, as war with Pakistan became almost inevitable, the country swung into action, preparing not just soldiers but millions of everyday citizens, schoolchildren, and entire city systems for the possibility of full-scale conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Buried in the frantic period is a little-known chapter from India's wartime history. At the heart of it is the Taj Mahal. Yes, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, India quite literally tried to make one of world's most famous monuments 'disappear'. As the two nations find themselves dangerously close to military confrontation, we take a look back at the interesting episode of how India protected its most iconic mausoleum during the war. When Taj Mahal was made to 'vanish' On December 3, 1971, war came knocking once again as Pakistan launched a surprise aerial attack on Indian military installations. Dubbed Operation Chengiz Khan, the offensive struck several Indian Air Force (IAF) bases across the Western front—Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Among the targets was the Kheria Airbase in Agra, dangerously close to the Taj Mahal. Two Pakistani jets bombed the airbase, leaving only minor damage, including a large crater on the runway. But the incident raised alarm bells. It triggered fears that Pakistan's air force might not only target cultural landmarks in India, including the Taj Mahal, to shake the public morale during the war, but also because the towering structure could help enemy pilots visually locate the Kheria Airbase for another attack. The government wasn't going to take chances. The very next day, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook a mission to camouflage the monument. The gleaming white marble of the mausoleum, visible for miles and even more so from the air, was concealed under massive jute tarps dyed green to blend in with the nearby jungles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It took two days to wrap the Taj with the tarpaulin that weighed over 18,700 lbs (8,482 kg),' said Nathi Lal, a monument worker who was part of the effort, in an interview with The Irish Times. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Taj Mahal was covered in jute. — Dr. M.F. Khan (@Dr_TheHistories) March 4, 2024 More than 598 kilograms of nails and 63 thick sewing needles were used to hold the cover in place, he added. Crews also brought in foliage—branches and brush—to cover the minarets. Sand was spread over the marble floor to dull its reflective surface. In the evenings, the lights surrounding the Taj were switched off, security was beefed up, and tourists were kept away. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The cover stayed in place for over two weeks. Mig21 pair during 1971 India-Pakistan War. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons This wasn't a one-off strategy either. Similar protections were reportedly installed at other heritage sites like the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and the Jaisalmer Fort. Dummy replicas were built nearby to throw enemy aircraft off course and prevent radar detection. Interestingly, India wasn't the first to try this. Back in 1942, during World War II, the British feared German and Japanese bombers might target the Taj Mahal. So they built bamboo scaffolding around the dome, making it look like a bamboo stockpile from above. World War II :: Taj Mahal Covered With Bamboo Scaffolding to Protect It From Bombers — indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) February 25, 2022 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Without modern satellite imaging or GPS-guided weaponry, these old-school techniques worked. And in 1971, they played a small but vital role in protecting the iconic monument. What wartime drills looked like in 1971 Covering up the Taj Mahal was just one part of India's war preparations in 1971. The country also ran massive civil defence drills to get everyday people ready for the worst. These drills included blackout exercises, where cities would turn off lights to make targeting difficult for enemy aircraft. Madhurendra Prasad Sinha, now a journalist, was a teenager back then. He lived in Dumka, then part of Bihar (now in Jharkhand), and remembers the atmosphere vividly. 'There was never a situation of panic,' he told Times Now. 'We were asked to put off lights and run underneath any table or chowki whenever the sound of sirens reverberated.' By 6:30 pm, most people were indoors. The drills had already started a few days before Pakistan's air raids on December 3 and continued until the end of the war on December 16, when Pakistani troops surrendered in Dhaka. The iconic image of Lt Gen Niazi and Lt Gen Arora that sealed the end of the war. Image courtesy: Indian Navy Sinha also recalled similar drills during the 1965 war in Kishanganj, near the border of then East Pakistan. 'The city was taken over by the army for a long duration,' he said. 'There were not many cars with sirens. So whenever we heard one, we knew it was time for drills. When lights went off, we used lanterns.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The drills weren't just about blackouts. RK Sharma, a retired government official, recalled the very specific rules taught to citizens. 'You had to cover the glasses with paper, and if you were outside and heard the siren, you were supposed to lie down on the floor and shut your ears,' he told Times Now. Offices would shut early to allow people to get home before sunset. Schools usually stayed open, but students were also trained on how to respond during an air raid. Fast forward to today, and India is once again preparing for civil defence drills—this time, the biggest since 1971. India will carry out mock drills across 259 locations in 33 states and union territories. These will include evacuation exercises, bunker safety protocols, and air raid simulations. Image for Representation. PTI Scheduled for Wednesday, the country will carry out mock drills across 259 locations in 33 states and union territories. These will include evacuation exercises, bunker safety protocols, and air raid simulations, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on the ground to guide people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Sinha says things are different now. 'There are so many servers, so many ways of communication now,' he said. 'The most we will do for mock drills is to use stairs or get out of a big building, like a mall.' With input from agencies
