As tension continues between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, the Union Home Ministry has asked all states to carry out mock drills across the country on May 7.
This marks the first such countrywide civil defence mobilisation since 1971, when India and Pakistan last went to war.
Civil Defence DG Vivek Srivastava told News18 that the exercise should not spread panic and is being undertaken to help India revisit the civil defence SOP for any eventuality.
What is a civil mock drill?
A civil defence mock drill is a response exercise conducted by government authorities. It is usually held to test and improve preparedness for disasters or crises such as earthquakes, floods, chemical leaks, terror attacks, nuclear emergencies or war.
Civil defence measures are reportedly the ones commonly used during the Cold War. During those days, countries prepared for possible air raids and nuclear attacks by running blackout and evacuation drills.
What happened during the 1971 mock drill?
During the lead-up to the India-Pakistani war, the mock drill was conducted. These drills included covert military operations, coordination with the Mukti Bahini (initially called the Mukti Fauj, also known as the Bangladesh Forces), and strategic positioning of forces to prepare for the liberation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
According to reports, the Indian Army in 1971 conducted several preparatory activities such as training Mukti Bahini fighters in guerrilla warfare, covering cross-border operations targeting Pakistani infrastructure. Also, special Forces raids such as Operation Mandhol and the Chachro Raids with the aim of crippling enemy artillery.
Under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the home ministry had instructed every state to engage in rigorous preparations. According to News18, drills involved moving civilians to bunkers, responding to air raid sirens, and practicing city-wide blackouts.
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.
During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the Taj Mahal was camouflaged to protect it from potential aerial attacks by Pakistan. The iconic white marble mausoleum was covered with a large green cloth, lights were switched off, and security was increased.
What will happen on May 7?
According to a Home Ministry statement, the drills will also focus on how to respond to air raid sirens and blackout situations. The drills will be carried out across officially notified Civil Defence districts in coordination with state and district authorities. Participants will include Civil Defence wardens, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members, and students from schools and colleges.
According to the notification by the Union Home Ministry,
•The drill will assess the effectiveness of air raid sirens
•It aims to train civilians to respond quickly and safely in case of an air strike.
•Hotline and radio links between civil authorities and the Indian Air Force will be tested.
•The drill will check how well control rooms, and their backups (shadow rooms) perform.
•People, including students, will be trained to protect themselves during hostile attacks through basic civil defence techniques.
•The drill will include blackout exercises. Residents may be asked to switch off lights to simulate conditions during an air raid.
•Authorities will practice shielding critical infrastructure like airfields, refineries and rail yards
The preparedness of rescue teams and firefighters will be tested.
•Civilians will receive hands-on training in providing basic first aid, handling fire fighting equipment, and taking shelter during emergencies.
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