Jaipur: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, mock drills are scheduled for Thursday in the border states of Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, and Punjab, officials announced on Wednesday. These exercises follow directives from the Union government and aim to bolster emergency preparedness in regions that faced heavy cross-border attacks during recent conflicts.
During the drills, sirens will be sounded, and emergency response systems will be thoroughly tested to evaluate their effectiveness. The Civil Defence department in Rajasthan has already begun preparations, issuing instructions to all districts with special focus on those along the India-Pakistan border where enhanced security measures are in place.
Jodhpur District Collector Gaurav Agarwal confirmed that a mock drill will take place in Jodhpur on Thursday, although the exact timing is yet to be finalised. Barmer Collector Tina Dabi stated, “We have received instructions regarding the mock drill scheduled for tomorrow. A meeting will be held to plan its implementation.”
This exercise follows a similar drill conducted on May 7 across 28 cities in Rajasthan, which aimed to prepare authorities and citizens for potential air strikes. The heightened focus on preparedness comes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. In response, Indian defence forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor,’ targeting nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, neutralising over 100 terrorists. This operation has further intensified tensions between the two nations.
Mock drills simulate emergency scenarios such as air strikes or bomb attacks to assess public and administrative readiness. They focus on testing the operational efficiency of control rooms and air raid warning systems, as well as the effectiveness of civil defence services.
Additionally, blackout exercises, which involve switching off all lights in designated areas for a set period, will be conducted. This tactic aims to make it harder for enemies to locate and target key sites during an attack, thereby enhancing security under the cover of darkness.
With IANS inputs