India delays civil defence drills near Pakistan border

India has deferred the civil defence mock drills planned for Thursday in states bordering Pakistan, citing administrative reasons, according to Indian media, just weeks after a ceasefire was agreed between the two countries following heightened military tensions.

The Indian government had announced conducting a civil defence exercise on Thursday in Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) – under “Operation Shield”.

The drills, announced under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), will simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios in the wake of national security concerns, as per the Indian media.

Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Haryana had said, “The exercise aims to test existing emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities, and identify areas that need to be strengthened, thus ensuring swift and effective response during any crisis.”

Earlier, a statewide mock drill was conducted on May 7 shortly after India launched airstrikes in Pakistan, which hit civilian populations including mosques, claiming lives of 26 civilians.

The ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump came after Pakistan launched retaliatory action under "Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos" in response to India's unprovoked missile and drone attacks on Pakistani civilians and military sites.

Pakistan downed its six fighter jets, including three Rafale, and dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the war between the two nuclear-armed nations ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

According to ISPR, a total of 53 individuals, including 13 personnel of the armed forces and 40 civilians, were martyred in Indian strikes during the recent military confrontation.

The military confrontation between the two countries was triggered by last month’s attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that left 26 tourists dead, with India blaming Pakistan for the attack without offering any evidence.