India postpones civil defence drills in states bordering Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India has postponed civil defence mock drills scheduled for Thursday in states bordering Pakistan due to administrative reasons, according to Indian media.

The mock drills were announced just weeks after both countries reached a ceasefire following military confrontation. 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 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), would 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.