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On a day growing expectations of military action loomed over India after a terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month, it is mock drills that the country will see on Wednesday. These drills will be a part of a comprehensive emergency drill which will also be practiced in 244 districts of the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday asked the states and Union Territories (UTs) to prepare for mock drills, which will be conducted in the country for the first time since 1971. Many places also conducted trial runs the day before on Tuesday and tested the sirens used in air raids. Breaking News Live
The planned simulated sorties come after weeks of frenetic activity when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the military “full freedom to respond to the mode, place and time” of our response after reviewing the military brass at New Delhi. India also adopted suo-motu and non-military measures against Pakistan as part of a five-pronged strategy, such as revocation of Pakistani-administered Kashmir’s special status (along with its claimed territory) and ending of free border entry for Pakistani nationals, cancelling visas of Pakistani citizens and suspending the Indus Waters
Treaty. In the second set of measures,
India restricted water flow from the Baglihar dam, which will affect the Neelum Valley downstream in Pakistan and employ 2257 anti-India posters, besides import of Pakistani products and docking of Pakistan-owned ships as well as banned exchange of all mail and parcels, also closed India’s airspace for flights from Pakistan.
Why does India have mock drills?
The mock exercises will equip the people with the information what to do if an attack is launched on India. The drills also seek “assessment & upgradation of the readiness of Civil Defence mechanism in all States and Union Territories” as well, the letter, from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards to the states / UTs, states. “In the present geo-political environment, new, complex and non-traditional threats/challenges have erupted and, therefore, it is the need of the hour that best civil defence preparedness in the states/UTs is sustained,” the letter said.
Where will drills be held?
As per the Home Ministry communication, mock drills will be held across 244 civil defence sectors which are located in all states and UTSb of the country. West Bengal has the largest number of such districts at 32, followed by Rajasthan (28), Assam (20), Punjab (20) and J&K (20). A district is declared a civil defence district according to perceived threat
Who all may take part?
In addition to those living in the 244 civil defence districts, 57,000 volunteers, and officials of Gujarat would be participating in mock drills being conducted as per a directive of the Home Ministry. The BJP has also asked people of the country to participate in the mock drill on May 7. The different units of the BJP in the states have been told to put in an active role in the local administration’s campaign according to party sources quoted by news agency PTI
What Happened Today? What’s expected tomorrow (May 7)?
States and UTs have been instructed to make operational air raid warning sirens and carry out crash blackout in certain areas. In addition, civilians, especially students, will be educated on what to do when there is an aerial or ground attack. Practices for evacuating the region and early camouflage of critical sites, including power plants and military-related facilities, also will take place. The other important component will be to operationalise the hotline and radio communication links between the Indian Air Force and ensure the efficiency of air surveillance and functioning of control rooms and shadow control rooms.
