Mock drill in Delhi: Special patrolling in key areas; will capital face traffic restrictions tomorrow?

Delhi Police

Delhi will witness a large-scale civil defence mock drill on Wednesday, 7 May, as part of a nationwide exercise ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. This is the first such comprehensive drill since 1971, aiming to test the capital’s readiness for emergencies such as air raids or hostile attacks.

As reported by The Economic Times, Delhi Police have been directed to carry out the drills at key locations including government buildings, high-footfall markets, transport hubs, tourist sites and sensitive installations.

However, there has been no traffic advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police yet in the wake of the massive exercises across the city.

VIDEO | Police conduct Civil Defence Mock Drill for emergency preparedness as per the instructions of Ministry of Home Affairs at Delhi's Rajiv Chowk.#CivilDefenceMockDrill pic.twitter.com/IvmRtCsiNO
Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 6, 2025

Delhi Police have rolled out special patrol squads to secure prominent locations such as Connaught Place, India Gate, Janpath, Yashwant Palace and Gole Market, alongside other sensitive sites. Motorcycle patrols and strategically placed pickets have been stepped up in crowded zones, ensuring a visible and responsive police presence throughout the city, a police officer informed The Economic Times.

Residents across Delhi can expect air raid sirens to sound, simulating warnings of an imminent aerial threat. Blackout protocols will be enforced in select areas, with visible lights switched off to mimic wartime conditions and reduce the risk of detection during a potential night-time strike.

The drills, planned under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, are designed to simulate coordinated attacks and assess the ability of various agencies to respond swiftly and effectively. Central and state security agencies, including the Delhi Police, National Security Guard (NSG) and intelligence departments, are coordinating the exercises under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Anti-sabotage checks are also being intensified at major public venues, including religious places and malls. "During the mock drills, teams will ensure the deployment of the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and dog squads, continuously conducting anti-sabotage checks in high-footfall areas, such as Palika Bazaar, Janpath, Khan Market and near government buildings," a police officer told PTI.

Civil Defence, Police and local administration rehearse mock drill exercise in Lucknow's Police Lines, following MHA's order for nationwide mock drills on May 7 #mockdrills pic.twitter.com/pkiEvq3lvW DD News (@DDNewslive) May 6, 2025

Apart from Delhi, similar mock drills will be carried out nationwide, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and defence-sensitive areas in Punjab, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.