Days after Operation Sindoor, India to conduct mock drills again in THESE states; here's full list

A large-scale civil defence mock drill will be held on Thursday evening across four Indian states that share a border with Pakistan — Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. This exercise comes more than three weeks after India carried out Operation Sindoor, which involved airstrikes on terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The government announced the drill as part of a nationwide effort to boost preparedness following last month’s terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people lost their lives. In response, mock drills were planned in 244 districts across the country.

The purpose of the drill is to test wartime standard operating procedures (SOPs) and improve the response of both authorities and civilians in case of emergencies such as terror attacks, war, or natural disasters. This is India’s first such national-level civil defence drill since the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

The mock drill will simulate real wartime scenarios and involve several emergency response teams. Drone surveillance, bomb disposal squads, medical teams, and helicopters may be deployed as part of the exercise.

One important part of the drill will be testing air raid warning systems. Sirens will be sounded to check how quickly civilians can be alerted in case of an air attack.

In sensitive areas like Uri in Kashmir and Arnia near the international border, civilians have been preparing to use community bunkers. Students and residents have already practiced evacuation procedures.

Another key part of the drill is the blackout simulation. When the blackout siren is sounded, all lights — including those from TVs, phones, and tablets — should be turned off or covered. Civilians should use torches or candles, away from windows, and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

Authorities will also review safety around vital installations such as hospitals, defence posts, and power plants. Civilians, students, and hospital staff will be trained to work with civil defence volunteers and follow instructions during emergencies.